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

Position

White: king a1; queen f2; rooks c2/h1; pawns b4/d4/e5/g5/g7/h5. Black: king g8; queen a3; rooks c8/e8; pawns a4/d5/e6/f7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra2 — rook c2→a2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c8→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook h1→c1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc1# — queen a3→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r1r1k1/5pPp/4p3/3pP1PP/pP1P4/q7/2R2Q2/K6R w - - 0 35

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