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

Position

White: king h1; queen e4; rook a1; bishop c1; pawns a2/b2/e5/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen d8; rook a8; bishop b6; pawns a7/b7/c3/e6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qd1+ — queen d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Qe1 (queen e4→e1).
3. Best move: Qxe1# — queen d1→e1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r2q1k2/pp4pp/1b2p3/4P3/4Q3/2p5/PP4PP/R1B4K w - - 0 20

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