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

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks a1/f1; knight d5; pawns a5/b2/c2/f2/f5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks e8/f8; pawns a7/b7/c5/d6/f6/f7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfe1 — rook f1→e1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxe1+ — queen e5→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

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4rrk1/pp3p2/3p1p1p/P1pNqP2/8/5Q2/1PP2PPP/R4RK1 w - - 2 19

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