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

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; rook a1; bishop d5; knight b1; pawns a2/b2/c3/d3/e4/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen h6; rooks a8/f3; bishop c8; knight c6; pawns a6/b5/c7/d7/e5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf3 — queen d1→f3, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc1+ — queen h6→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Qd1 (queen f3→d1).
3. Best move: Qxd1# — queen c1→d1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r1bk4/2pp2pp/p1n4q/1p1Bp3/4P3/2PP1r2/PP4PP/RN1Q3K w - - 0 17

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