Chess Puzzle #2m1Zq — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d3; rooks a1/e1; bishops d2/d5; knight b1; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen f2; rooks a8/f8; bishops c5/e2; pawns a7/b7/c7/d4/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg3 — queen d3→g3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook e1→f1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4r1k/ppp3pp/8/2bB4/3p4/3Q4/PPPBbqPP/RN2R2K w - - 7 18

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