Chess Puzzle #1zupj — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen b6; rook c7; knights d4/f3; pawns a7/e3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a1; bishops d7/f6; knight f2; pawns d5/f7/g5/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf6 — queen b6→f6, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh1+ — queen a1→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Kg3 (king h2→g3).
3. Best move: Ne4# — knight f2→e4, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Ne4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/P1Rb1p1p/1Q3b2/3p2p1/3N4/4PN1P/5nPK/q7 w - - 0 35

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