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

Position

White: king g1; queen a7; rook e1; pawns a2/b3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e4; rook c8; bishop d5; pawns b7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe4 — rook e1→e4, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c8→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Re1 (rook e4→e1).
3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook c1→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/Qp3p1p/6p1/3b4/4q3/1P6/P4PPP/4R1K1 w - - 1 22

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