Chess Puzzle #04bXp — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen h7; rooks f1/h1; knight c2; pawns b2/c3/e5. Black: king f8; queen b6; rook f2; knight g8; pawns a5/b7/c4/d5/g6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd4 — knight c2→d4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxb2+ — queen b6→b2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kd1 (king c1→d1).
3. Best move: Qa1# — queen b2→a1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qa1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5kn1/1p5Q/1q4p1/p2pP3/2p5/2P5/1PN2r2/2K2R1R w - - 0 33

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