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

Position

White: king h2; queen b3; rooks e3/g1; knights d2/f3; pawns b5/d4/e4/f2/h3. Black: king g8; queen h5; rooks f8/g2; bishop b6; knight f4; pawns b7/c7/d6/e6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxg2 — rook g1→g2, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen h5→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h2→g1).
3. Best move: Qxg2# — queen h3→g2, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/1pp3pp/1b1pp3/1P5q/3PPn2/1Q2RN1P/3N1PrK/6R1 w - - 0 23

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