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

Position

White: king a1; queen b3; rooks d1/d2; bishop e3; pawns a2/b2/e4/f4/g3/h5. Black: king g8; queen c4; rooks b8/c8; bishop f8; pawns b4/e5/e6/g5/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: fxg5 — pawn f4→g5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc1+ — queen c4→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook d1→c1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc1# — rook c8→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1rr2bk1/8/4p2p/4p1pP/1pq1PP2/1Q2B1P1/PP1R4/K2R4 w - - 1 36

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