Chess Puzzle #2cQ10 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c4; rook e1; pawns a2/d5/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen h3; rooks e3/f8; pawns c7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe3 — rook e1→e3, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rf1+ — rook f8→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf1 (queen c4→f1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf1# — queen h3→f1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/2p4p/8/3P4/2Q5/4r1Pq/P6P/4R2K w - - 0 36

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