Chess Puzzle #18ZjU — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; rooks a1/d1; knight h6; pawns a2/b3/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g7; queen f6; rooks c2/d8; knight c5; pawns a7/b6/e4/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd8 — rook d1→d8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxa1+ — queen f6→a1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook d8→d1).
3. Best move: Qxd1# — queen a1→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r4/p5kp/1p3qpN/2n5/4p3/1P2P1Q1/P1r2PPP/R2R2K1 w - - 3 25

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