Chess Puzzle #12OQP — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; bishop c7; pawns c3/c4/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a4; bishop g6; pawns a5/b6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxb6 — bishop c7→b6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qa1+ — queen a4→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Qc1 (queen d2→c1).
3. Best move: Qxc1# — queen a1→c1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2B3pp/1p4b1/p2P4/q1P5/2P5/3Q1PPP/6K1 w - - 0 26

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