Chess Puzzle #3YRX4 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen g3; rook b1; pawns a3/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c4; knight f6; pawns a4/b2/e5/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe5 — queen g3→e5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc1+ — queen c4→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook b1→c1, captures queen).
3. Best move: bxc1=Q# — pawn b2→c1, captures rook, promotes to queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, promotion, short. The combination ends with bxc1=Q# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5pp1/5n1p/4p3/p1q1P3/P4PQ1/1p4PP/1R5K w - - 0 37

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