Chess Puzzle #4La4O — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d7; rook e1; pawns a5/d4/g2/h4. Black: king h6; rooks c8/e3; knight g4; pawns a6/b7/f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe3 — rook e1→e3, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c8→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Re1 (rook e3→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: 2r5/1p1Q3p/p5pk/P4p2/3P2nP/4r3/6P1/4R1K1 w - - 5 35

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