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

Position

White: king e2; queen d2; rooks a1/h1; knight f3; pawns a2/b3/d3/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d5; rook h8; bishops a6/b4; pawns a7/c6/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb4 — queen d2→b4, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxd3+ — queen d5→d3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke1 (king e2→e1).
3. Best move: Qe2# — queen d3→e2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4k2r/p4ppp/b1p1p3/3qP3/1b6/1P1P1N2/P2QKPPP/R6R w k - 4 18

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