Chess Puzzle #2PZkA — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rook a1; bishop d4; pawns b2/c3/e5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen h4; rook f8; knight e4; pawns a7/b6/d5/e6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa7 — rook a1→a7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen h4→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Qf1 (queen d3→f1).
3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/p5pp/1p2p3/3pP3/3Bn2q/2PQ4/1P4PP/R5K1 w - - 0 22

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