Chess Puzzle #09eE1 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen g4; rook b7; bishop e6; knight f1; pawns b4/b5/d5/f3/g2/h3. Black: king f6; queen a8; rook e7; bishop f4; knight b6; pawns c7/d6/e5/h4. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd2 — knight f1→d2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qa1+ — queen a8→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Nb1 (knight d2→b1).
3. Best move: Qxb1# — queen a1→b1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxb1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: q7/1Rp1r3/1n1pBk2/1P1Pp3/1P3bQp/5P1P/6P1/5N1K w - - 7 39

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