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

Position

White: king g1; queen a3; rooks a1/e1; bishop e3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e6; rooks a8/e8; bishop f3; knight c5; pawns a7/b6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc5 — bishop e3→c5, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxe1+ — queen e6→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook a1→e1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/p4pp1/1p2q2p/2n5/8/Q3Bb2/PPP2PPP/R3R1K1 w - - 0 23

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