Chess Puzzle #27xjW — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; queen c4; rooks a1/h1; bishops f1/f4; knights c3/f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen f7; rooks d8/h8; bishop c5; knights c6/f5; pawns a7/b7/c7/f6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh3 — king g3→h3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh5+ — queen f7→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Nh4 (knight f3→h4).
3. Best move: Qxh4# — queen h5→h4, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxh4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/ppp2q1p/2n2p2/2b2n2/2Q2B2/2N2NK1/PPP3PP/R4B1R w - - 4 17

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