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

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks a1/e4; bishops c1/h1; knight d2; pawns a3/b2/d4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen g4; rooks a8/e8; bishops d6/h3; knight a5; pawns a7/b7/c6/f5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxg4 — rook e4→g4, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e8→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Nf1 (knight d2→f1).
3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook e1→f1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, opera mate, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/pp4p1/2pb3p/n4p2/3PR1q1/P5Pb/1PQN1P1P/R1B3KB w - - 0 19

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