Chess Puzzle #1cSZ9 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; queen c8; rook g8; pawns a3/c3/c4/e3/f2. Black: king f6; rooks a2/f7; knight e6; pawns a7/b6/c7/d6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f4 — pawn f2→f4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nc5+ — knight e6→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kd4 (king d3→d4).
3. Best move: Rd2# — rook a2→d2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Rd2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2Q3R1/p1p2r2/1p1pnk2/8/2P5/P1PKP3/r4P2/8 w - - 9 35

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