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

Position

White: king f1; queen f3; rooks a1/e1; bishops c1/d3; knights c3/d4; pawns a2/b2/c2/e3/g2/h3. Black: king c8; queen h2; rooks d8/h8; bishops e6/g3; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc6 — knight d4→c6, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh1+ — queen h2→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king f1→e2).
3. Best move: Qxe1# — queen h1→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/ppp2ppp/2n1b3/8/3N4/2NBPQbP/PPP3Pq/R1B1RK2 w - - 13 15

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