Chess Puzzle #2b7c2 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d7; rooks a1/f1; bishop d3; pawns a2/b4/c2/f4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e3; rook d8; bishops c7/d5; pawns d4/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc7 — queen d7→c7, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen e3→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
3. Best move: Qxg2# — queen h3→g2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, pin, short. The combination ends with Qxg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/2bQ1ppp/8/3b4/1P1p1P2/3Bq2P/P1P3P1/R4R1K w - - 3 24

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