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

Position

White: king e1; queen b4; rooks a1/f1; bishops a2/e3; pawns a4/b5/c3/f2. Black: king c8; queen d3; rooks e8/g7; knight a5; pawns a6/b6/c7/f5/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd1 — rook a1→d1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe3+ — rook e8→e3, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies fxe3 (pawn f2→e3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe3# — queen d3→e3, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

epaulette mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxe3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k1r3/2p3r1/pp5p/nP3p2/PQ6/2PqB3/B4P2/R3KR2 w - - 0 27

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