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

Position

White: king d1; queen f3; rooks a1/e2; bishop d3; knight b3; pawns c2/g4/h3. Black: king b8; queen b2; rooks a5/e7; bishop e3; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa5 — rook a1→a5, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qb1+ — queen b2→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Nc1 (knight b3→c1).
3. Best move: Qxc1# — queen b1→c1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/pp2r3/5n1p/r5p1/6P1/1N1BbQ1P/1qP1R3/R2K4 w - - 2 35

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