Chess Puzzle #4TxV9 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen f4; rook d1; pawns a2/c2/e3/e5/h4/h5. Black: king c8; queen c3; rooks d4/g2; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd4 — queen f4→d4, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc2+ — queen c3→c2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ka1 (king b1→a1).
3. Best move: Qxa2# — queen c2→a2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, master, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxa2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/pp3p2/4p3/4P2P/3r1Q1P/2q1P3/P1P3r1/1K1R4 w - - 0 24

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