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

Position

White: king h1; queen c3; rooks b1/f3; knight d1; pawns a2/b3/c4/e4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks e2/f8; bishops e6/h6; pawns a7/b7/c6/e7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe5 — queen c3→e5, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e2→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f3→f1).
3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook e1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/pp2pp1p/2p1b1pb/4q3/2P1P3/1PQ2R2/P3r1PP/1R1N3K w - - 0 20

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