Chess Puzzle #24l55 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks f3/f4; pawns a2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks c3/c8; pawns a7/b6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f4→f7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c3→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc1 (queen d2→c1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxc1# — rook c8→c1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p4p1p/1p4p1/4q3/5R2/2r2R1P/P2Q1PP1/6K1 w - - 0 26

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