Chess Puzzle #1a2BO — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen e2; rook c7; bishop g3; pawns a4/b5/f4/g2. Black: king f8; queen e8; bishop d4; knight b4; pawns a5/b6/d6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc4 — queen e2→c4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh5+ — queen e8→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Bh4 (bishop g3→h4).
3. Best move: Qxh4# — queen h5→h4, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxh4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4qk2/2R5/1p1p4/pP6/Pn1b1P2/6B1/4Q1PK/8 w - - 0 40

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