Chess Puzzle #0GqHf — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; queen h7; rooks d1/e1; knight e4; pawns a3/b2/d4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king d7; queen d5; rooks c6/c8; knight b4; pawns a7/d6/e7/f7/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: axb4 — pawn a3→b4, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ra6+ — rook c6→a6, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king a1→b1).
3. Best move: Qa2# — queen d5→a2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

master, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qa2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/p2kpp1Q/2rp2p1/3q4/1n1PN3/P4P2/1P4PP/K2RR3 w - - 1 25

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