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

Position

White: king d1; queen f6; rook d3; knight c3; pawns a2/c2/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b2; rook e8; pawns a7/c5/c7/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd5 — knight c3→d5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qb1+ — queen b2→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king d1→d2).
3. Best move: Qe1# — queen b1→e1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/p1p2p1p/5Qp1/2p5/5P2/2NR4/PqP3PP/3K4 w - - 0 24

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