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

Position

White: king b1; queen c4; rook h1; knight c3; pawns b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king b8; queen d2; rook e1; knight b4; pawns a7/b7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe1 — rook h1→e1, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxe1+ — queen d2→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nd1 (knight c3→d1).
3. Best move: Qxd1# — queen e1→d1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/pp4p1/7p/8/1nQ5/2N5/1PPq1PPP/1K2r2R w - - 5 26

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