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

Position

White: king e1; queen a8; rooks b1/h1; bishop e2; pawns a2/d4/e5/f2/f3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f4; rook f8; knights b8/c3; pawns a7/c6/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb8 — rook b1→b8, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc1+ — queen f4→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Bd1 (bishop e2→d1).
3. Best move: Qxd1# — queen c1→d1, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: Qn3rk1/p4ppp/2p1p3/4P3/3P1q2/2n2P2/P3BP1P/1R2K2R w K - 0 16

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