Chess Puzzle #02HAo — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a8; rook a1; bishop h8; pawns a4/b2/c6/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e7; queen h4; rook c7; knight e4; pawns a5/d6/f7/g4/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re1 — rook a1→e1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen h4→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qxe1# — queen f2→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, fork, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: Q6B/2r1kp2/2Pp4/p6p/P3n1pq/8/1P3PPP/R5K1 w - - 5 28

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