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

Position

White: king b1; queen d2; rooks d1/h1; bishop c5; knights c3/e6; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/d6/f3/g2/h6. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks c8/d8; bishops d5/h8; knight b4; pawns a6/f5/g6/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd5 — knight c3→d5, 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

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

Position data

FEN: 2rr2kb/7p/p2PN1pP/q1Bb1p2/1n1P4/2N2P2/PPPQ2P1/1K1R3R w - - 1 23

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