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

Position

White: king g1; queen d4; rook f3; pawns a6/b5/c4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rook e4; pawns a7/b6/c7/d6/f7/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe4 — queen d4→e4, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qa1+ — queen f6→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Qb1 (queen e4→b1).
3. Best move: Qxb1# — queen a1→b1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxb1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p1p2p2/Pp1p1qpp/1P6/2PQr3/5R2/5PPP/6K1 w - - 0 25

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