Chess Puzzle #0CJhN — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; queen g7; rooks b1/h1; pawns a3/b2/g3/h4. Black: king a8; queen f3; rooks c2/d2; pawns a6/b7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h5 — pawn h4→h5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxa3+ — queen f3→a3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies bxa3 (pawn b2→a3, captures queen).
3. Best move: Ra2# — rook c2→a2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Ra2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: k7/1p4Q1/p7/8/7P/P4qP1/1Prr4/KR5R w - - 1 33

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