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

Position

White: king e1; rooks c3/h1; bishops c7/f1; pawns e2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a2/f8; bishops c8/e5; knight b3; pawns b5/b7/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxe5 — bishop c7→e5, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a2→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Rc1 (rook c3→c1).
3. Best move: Rxc1# — rook a1→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2b2rk1/1pB2p1p/8/1p2b3/8/1nR5/r3PPPP/4KB1R w K - 0 17

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