Chess Puzzle #2DL3w — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; queen d8; rook c6; pawns b3/c4/e5/f4/g3/h4. Black: king h7; queen a2; rook d2; pawns c5/e6/f7/g6/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe7 — queen d8→e7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rh2+ — rook d2→h2, gives check. Opponent replies Kg4 (king h3→g4).
3. Best move: Qe2# — queen a2→e2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, master, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qe2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3Q4/5p1k/2R1p1pp/2p1P3/2P2P1P/1P4PK/q2r4/8 w - - 2 49

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