Chess Puzzle #22e5o — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rook b1; bishops b4/d3; pawns c2/c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e6; rook e8; knights d7/f6; pawns b5/c6/d5/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bf5 — bishop d3→f5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen e6→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook b1→e1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/3n2p1/2p1qn1p/1p1p4/1B1P4/2PB1Q2/2P2PPP/1R4K1 w - - 4 21

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