Chess Puzzle #0zCP2 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d7; rooks a1/e8; bishop g3; knight h8; pawns a2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king b6; queen f6; rook a8; knights a6/g8; pawns a7/c6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa8 — rook e8→a8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxa1+ — queen f6→a1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qd1 (queen d7→d1).
3. Best move: Qxd1# — queen a1→d1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, hanging piece, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r3R1nN/p2Q2pp/nkp2q2/8/8/6B1/P1P2PPP/R5K1 w - - 5 23

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