Chess Puzzle #0Ml5l — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen d5; rooks d1/h1; bishop g2; knights c3/e2; pawns a2/b2/c2/e3/f2/g5/h4. Black: king b8; queen b4; rooks d8/h8; bishop d7; knights c4/h5; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b3 — pawn b2→b3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qa3+ — queen b4→a3, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c1→b1).
3. Best move: Qb2# — queen a3→b2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The combination ends with Qb2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r3r/pppb1ppp/8/3Q2Pn/1qn4P/2N1P3/PPP1NPB1/2KR3R w - - 7 17

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