Chess Puzzle #3AZcO — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen g3; rooks a1/h1; bishop c7; knight d2; pawns a3/b2/c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e2; rooks a8/f8; bishop d3; knight a5; pawns a7/b6/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe3 — queen g3→e3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nb3+ — knight a5→b3, gives check. Opponent replies Nxb3 (knight d2→b3, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qc2# — queen e2→c2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qc2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/p1B2ppp/1p2p3/n7/3P4/P1Pb2Q1/1P1NqPPP/R1K4R w - - 9 19

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