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

Position

White: king a1; queen g3; pawns a2/b2/d4/e6/f6/h4. Black: king c8; queen f5; bishop f7; pawns a7/b7/d5/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exf7 — pawn e6→f7, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f5→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Qe1 (queen g3→e1).
3. Best move: Qxe1# — queen f1→e1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, queen endgame, short. The combination ends with Qxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/pp3b2/4PPpp/3p1q2/3P3P/6Q1/PP6/K7 w - - 1 42

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