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

Position

White: king g1; queen d6; bishop h2; knight f3; pawns a4/d5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c4; rook c8; knight d7; pawns a5/b6/c5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd7 — queen d6→d7, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc1+ — queen c4→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Ne1 (knight f3→e1).
3. Best move: Qxe1# — queen c1→e1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/3n1pp1/1p1Q3p/p1pP4/P1q5/5N1P/5PPB/6K1 w - - 0 31

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