Chess Puzzle #3HN11 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen c2; rooks f1/g1; pawns a2/b2/d4/e3/f3/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen g6; rooks c8/e4; bishop d6; pawns a5/b5/c6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe4 — queen c2→e4, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxg3+ — queen g6→g3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g2→h1).
3. Best move: Qxh3# — queen g3→h3, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxh3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/5pp1/2pb2qp/pp6/3Pr3/4PPPP/PPQ3K1/5RR1 w - - 0 26

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