Chess Puzzle #2AG7N — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; queen b6; rook c1; pawns a2/b2/d4. Black: king g8; queen b1; knight a3; pawns e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (1 move)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb1 — rook c1→b1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nc2# — knight a3→c2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, master, mate, mate in 1, one move, smothered mate. The combination ends with Nc2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5pp1/1Q2p2p/8/3P4/n7/PP6/KqR5 w - - 5 36

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