Chess Puzzle #4B4Zr — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a8; rooks a1/f3; pawns a2/b3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g7; queen c2; rook c8; knight d3; pawns a7/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa7 — queen a8→a7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc1+ — queen c2→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook a1→c1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc1# — rook c8→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: Q1r5/p4pkp/6p1/8/8/1P1n1R2/P1q2PPP/R5K1 w - - 0 24

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