Chess Puzzle #4sC9n — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks b3/e7; knight f5; pawns a2/c2/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks a8/e8; knight c4; pawns a7/b5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg4 — queen d1→g4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen a5→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook e7→e1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short, X-ray attack. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/p3Rppp/8/qp1P1N2/2n5/1R6/P1P2PPP/3Q2K1 w - - 2 21

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