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

Position

White: king a1; queen a6; rooks d1/h1; bishop g3; pawns b2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook f8; bishops e7/f5; pawns b3/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 12 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe2 — queen a6→e2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook f8→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Qa6 (queen e2→a6).
3. Best move: Rxa6# — rook a8→a6, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxa6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/4b1pp/Q4p2/5b2/8/1p2P1B1/1P3PPP/K2R3R w - - 3 32

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