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

Position

White: king h1; queen c3; rook c1; knight g5; pawns b2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen d1; rook d8; bishop b8; pawns c6/f6/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd1 — rook c1→d1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook d8→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qe1 (queen c3→e1).
3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook d1→e1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1b1r4/6k1/2p2p2/6Np/8/2Q4P/1P3PP1/2Rq3K w - - 1 36

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