Chess Puzzle #3MdJJ — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rooks b7/e1; knight e6; pawns a4/f5/g2/h3. Black: king h7; rooks c2/e2; bishop e5; pawns a5/c6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe2 — rook e1→e2, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c2→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Re1 (rook e2→e1).
3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook c1→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/1R4pk/2p1N2p/p3bP2/P7/7P/2r1r1P1/4R2K w - - 2 38

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