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

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rook a1; bishop d2; knights h3/h5; pawns a2/b2/c4/d3/f3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c6; rooks e8/g2; bishop b7; pawns a7/b6/c5/e6/f5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxg2 — king g1→g2, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf3+ — queen c6→f3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king g2→g1).
3. Best move: Qg2# — queen f3→g2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

fork, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/pb4p1/1pq1p2p/2p1Qp1N/2P5/3P1P1N/PP1B2rP/R5K1 w - - 0 23

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