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

Position

White: king g1; queen g7; rook a1; bishop f8; pawns c3/c5/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen e6; rooks a7/b8; pawns a2/c4/d5/f5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa7 — queen g7→a7, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rb1+ — rook b8→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxb1 (rook a1→b1, captures rook).
3. Best move: axb1=Q# — pawn a2→b1, captures rook, promotes to queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, promotion, short. The combination ends with axb1=Q# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1rk2B2/r5Q1/4q3/2Pp1p2/2p5/2P1P3/p4PPP/R5K1 w - - 4 38

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