Chess Puzzle #2LkC8 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; rooks d1/e1; bishop e2; knight c1; pawns a2/b2/c3/f3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; rooks e6/e8; bishops b5/g3; knight g6; pawns a7/b7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxb5 — bishop e2→b5, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook e6→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook d1→e1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, opera mate, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/pp3ppp/4r1n1/1b6/8/2P2PbP/PP2B1P1/2NRRK2 w - - 3 23

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