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

Position

White: king d2; queen e4; rooks g1/h1; knight e1; pawns f2/h5/h7. Black: king h8; queen b2; rooks c2/f8; pawns a7/b7/d3/e5/f7/g7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc2 — knight e1→c2, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc2+ — queen b2→c2, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Ke3 (king d2→e3).
3. Best move: Qe2# — queen c2→e2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qe2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/pp3ppP/8/4p2P/4Q3/3p4/1qrK1P2/4N1RR w - - 0 26

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