Chess Puzzle #4Ztf3 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; queen c1; rooks a1/f2; bishop a3; knight b1; pawns a4/d4/e3/e5/h2. Black: king d7; queen e4; rooks a8/g1; bishop b3; pawns a7/b6/c7/e6/f5/h3/h4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxg1 — queen c1→g1, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc2+ — queen e4→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Ke1 (king d2→e1).
3. Best move: Qd1# — queen c2→d1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r7/p1pk4/1p2p3/4Pp2/P2Pq2p/Bb2P2p/3K1R1P/RNQ3r1 w - - 5 31

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