Chess Puzzle #4M9mn — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d1; queen c2; rooks a1/h1; bishops c1/c4; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/d2/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen f2; rook a8; bishops b6/c8; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/e5. White is ahead by 8 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxb6 — knight d5→b6, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bg4+ — bishop c8→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Be2 (bishop c4→e2).
3. Best move: Qxe2# — queen f2→e2, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxe2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1bk4/ppp5/1b1p4/3Np3/2B5/8/PPQP1qPP/R1BK3R w - - 0 17

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