Chess Puzzle #08Mml — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d4; rooks e1/e2; bishop b2; pawns a2/b4/d5/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen h3; rooks e3/f8; knight g4; pawns b7/d6/f6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe3 — rook e2→e3, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxh2+ — queen h3→h2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
3. Best move: Qf2# — queen h2→f2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qf2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/1p4p1/3p1p1p/3P4/1P1Q1Pn1/4r1Pq/PB2R2P/4R1K1 w - - 2 25

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