Chess Puzzle #0FAtz — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen e6; pawns b3/c3/f2/g4/h2. Black: king a5; rooks d8/f8; pawns a6/b5/d3/f3/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d2 — pawn d3→d2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: b4+ — pawn b3→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Ka4 (king a5→a4).
3. Best move: Qa2# — queen e6→a2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, queen rook endgame, short. The combination ends with Qa2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1r2/7p/p3Q3/kp6/6P1/1PPp1p2/5P1P/5K2 b - - 0 42

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