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

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rooks a1/f1; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks a8/e8; bishop d7; pawns a7/c6/d5/g6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfe1 — rook f1→e1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxe1+ — queen e7→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook a1→e1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/p2bq1pp/2p3p1/3p4/Q7/2N5/PPP2PPP/R4RK1 w - - 2 21

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