Chess Puzzle #4CHsT — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rook a1; bishop c1; knights b1/h8; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/g2. Black: king e8; queen f4; rook a8; bishops c8/d4; knight b8; pawns a7/b7/c7/d7/g3/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd4 — queen d1→d4, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen f4→c1, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qd1 (queen d4→d1).
3. Best move: Qxd1# — queen c1→d1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

hanging piece, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: rnb1k2N/pppp4/8/7p/3bPq2/6p1/PPP3P1/RNBQ2K1 w q - 0 13

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