Chess Puzzle #2Ox3g — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rooks a1/c1; knight f2; pawns a2/b3/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e2; rooks e7/e8; pawns a7/b6/c7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re1 — rook c1→e1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxe1+ — queen e2→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook a1→e1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e7→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: 4r1k1/p1p1rppp/1p6/3Q4/8/1P3P2/P3qNPP/R1R3K1 w - - 1 25

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