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

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rook c1; knight d4; pawns a2/c4/d5/f2/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e1; rooks e7/e8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe1 — queen d1→e1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook e7→e1, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook c1→e1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/ppp1rpp1/7p/3P4/2PN1P2/8/P4PPP/2RQq1K1 w - - 0 23

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