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

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rooks a1/b6; knights e2/f3; pawns b4/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen a7; rooks d8/h8; bishop c8; knight e4; pawns b5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa7 — rook a1→a7, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Ne1 (knight f3→e1).
3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook d1→e1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2brk2r/q4ppp/1R2p3/1p6/1P2n3/4QN2/2P1NPPP/R5K1 w k - 3 22

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