Chess Puzzle #1Pn7I — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen d2; rooks a1/h1; knights c3/g3; pawns b2/b3/c2/d3/f2/g2. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks a8/f8; bishop h3; knight f4; pawns a7/c5/c7/e5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxh3 — pawn g2→h3, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen h4→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h2→g1).
3. Best move: Qg2# — queen h3→g2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/p1p2ppp/8/2p1p3/5n1q/1PNP2Nb/1PPQ1PPK/R6R w - - 0 17

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