Chess Puzzle #0mu8J — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen d2; rooks d1/h1; bishops d3/e3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d6/h2. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks a8/f8; bishops c5/e6; pawns a6/b4/e5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc5 — bishop e3→c5, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxa2+ — queen a5→a2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc1 (king b1→c1).
3. Best move: Qa1# — queen a2→a1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, short. The combination ends with Qa1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/6pp/p2Pb3/q1b1p3/1p6/3BB3/PPPQ3P/1K1R3R w - - 1 22

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