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

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rook g3; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen h6; rook f8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f6/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc7 — queen e5→c7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc1+ — queen h6→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Nd1 (knight c3→d1).
3. Best move: Qxd1# — queen c1→d1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/ppp4p/5p1q/4Q3/8/2N3R1/PPP2PPP/6K1 w - - 0 23

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