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

Position

White: king h1; queen d5; rook d1; pawns a2/b2/c3/e5/h2. Black: king h8; queen e2; rook f8; pawns a6/b7/c4/g4/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e6 — pawn e5→e6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rf1+ — rook f8→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook d1→f1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf1# — queen e2→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/1p6/p6p/3QP3/2p3p1/2P5/PP2q2P/3R3K w - - 7 36

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