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

Position

White: king f1; queen b3; rooks a1/h1; bishop h6; pawns a2/b2/e3/f2/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen g4; rooks a8/d8; bishop e5; pawns a7/b7/c4/f6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb7 — queen b3→b7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook a1→d1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd1# — queen g4→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2r2k1/pp5p/5ppB/4b3/2p3qP/1Q2P3/PP3PP1/R4K1R w - - 0 23

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