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

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; rook a1; bishop d5; pawns a2/b2/c4/d4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f5; rook f4; bishop e2; pawns a7/c5/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxc5 — pawn d4→c5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rf1+ — rook f4→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook a1→f1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf1# — queen f5→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p4pp1/7p/2pB1q2/2PP1r2/6Q1/PP2b1PP/R5K1 w - - 1 23

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