Chess Puzzle #25EV4 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; queen g7; rook g2; pawns a3/b2/c3/e5/h5. Black: king b8; queen f4; rook b6; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg4 — rook g2→g4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc1+ — queen f4→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Ka2 (king a1→a2).
3. Best move: Qxb2# — queen c1→b2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxb2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/1p4Q1/pr2p2p/3pP2P/5q2/P1P5/1P4R1/K7 w - - 0 36

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