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

Position

White: king g1; queen f2; rook a5; pawns a2/c3/c6/d4/e3/g3/h2. Black: king g7; queen f5; bishop e2; pawns c4/d5/f3/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc5 — rook a5→c5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qb1+ — queen f5→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Qe1 (queen f2→e1).
3. Best move: Qxe1# — queen b1→e1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/5pkp/2P3p1/R2p1q2/2pP4/2P1PpP1/P3bQ1P/6K1 w - - 1 35

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