Chess Puzzle #2711d — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen d5; rook a7; pawns b2/c2/e4/g5/h4. Black: king h8; queen e8; rook d8; pawns a6/e5/g6/g7/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb7 — queen d5→b7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Ka2 (king b1→a2).
3. Best move: Qa4# — queen e8→a4, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qa4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3rq2k/R5p1/p5p1/3Qp1Pp/4P2P/8/1PP5/1K6 w - - 6 35

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