Chess Puzzle #9x3L6 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks c1/d6; bishop g4; pawns b3/d3/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks a1/f8; pawns b5/d4/e5/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc6 — rook d6→c6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen a5→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook c1→e1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook a1→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: 5rk1/5pp1/3R3p/qp1Pp3/3p2B1/1P1P1Q2/5PPP/r1R3K1 w - - 1 21

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