Chess Puzzle #1OR4U — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knights c3/e3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks d8/e8; bishop e6; knights e5/g4; pawns a7/b7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h3 — pawn h2→h3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nf3+ — knight e5→f3, gives check. Opponent replies gxf3 (pawn g2→f3, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qh2# — queen c7→h2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

clearance, kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3rr1k1/ppq2ppp/4b3/4n3/6n1/2NPN3/PPP1QPPP/R1B2RK1 w - - 1 16

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