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

Position

White: king e1; queen c6; rooks a1/h1; bishop g2; knight e2; pawns a2/b2/c3/e5/f4/h3. Black: king g8; queen d3; rooks a8/f8; bishop e7; pawns a7/c5/e3/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd1 — rook a1→d1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bh4+ — bishop e7→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Ng3 (knight e2→g3).
3. Best move: Bxg3# — bishop h4→g3, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

balestra mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Bxg3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/p3bppp/2Q5/2p1P3/5P2/2Pqp2P/PP2N1B1/R3K2R w KQ - 0 18

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