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

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rook b1; knight a6; pawns b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d2; rook d8; bishop g7; knight c6; pawns f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc6 — queen a4→c6, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qd1+ — queen d2→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook b1→d1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd1# — rook d8→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/5pbp/N1n3p1/8/Q7/8/1P1q1PPP/1R4K1 w - - 0 31

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