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

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f2; bishop c5; pawns a7/c6/c7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf2 — rook f1→f2, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qd1+ — queen d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Qe1 (queen e4→e1).
3. Best move: Qxe1# — queen d1→e1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r2q2k1/p1p3pp/2p5/2b5/4Q3/8/PPP2rPP/R1B2RK1 w - - 0 16

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