Chess Puzzle #1l8rm — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; queen g5; rooks g3/h1; pawns a2/b2/f6/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d1; rooks b8/d7; pawns a7/b7/e4/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd1 — rook h1→d1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook d7→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qc1 (queen g5→c1).
3. Best move: Rxc1# — rook d1→c1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, queen rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/pp1r2pp/5P2/6Q1/4p3/6RP/PP4P1/K2q3R w - - 1 27

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