Chess Puzzle #05ac2 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rook a8; knight f6; pawns b4/c4/e3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king f7; queen f5; rook e8; bishop c8; pawns b7/c6/g4/g6/h3. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe8 — knight f6→e8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qb1+ — queen f5→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Qc1 (queen c3→c1).
3. Best move: Qxc1# — queen b1→c1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: R1b1r3/1p3k2/2p2Np1/5q2/1PP3p1/2Q1P1Pp/5P1P/6K1 w - - 4 27

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