Chess Puzzle #12e4B — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks a1/f1; bishop b2; pawns a4/c4/d5/e3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king f8; queen h6; rook a8; bishop c8; knight g5; pawns a5/b6/c7/d6/f5/g4/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc3 — queen c2→c3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nf3+ — knight g5→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qxh2# — queen h6→h2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b2k2/2p4p/1p1p3q/p2P1pn1/P1P3p1/4P1P1/1BQ2P1P/R4RK1 w - - 2 26

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