Chess Puzzle #1Hs8W — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen h6; rook f6; bishop c4; knight a3; pawns a4/c2/c3/d3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks c8/f8; bishop b7; pawns a6/b6/c5/f7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g3 — pawn g2→g3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe2+ — queen e5→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Rf2 (rook f6→f2).
3. Best move: Qxf2# — queen e2→f2, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxf2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/1b3p2/pp3R1Q/2p1q3/P1B5/N1PP3P/2P3PK/8 w - - 3 27

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