Chess Puzzle #1yy9U — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e6; rooks b1/b2; pawns d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h7; queen c1; rooks a8/c8; pawns a5/f6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc1 — rook b1→c1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c8→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qe1 (queen e6→e1).
3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook c1→e1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r1r5/6pk/4Qp1p/p7/3P4/8/1R3PPP/1Rq3K1 w - - 3 36

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