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

Position

White: king g1; queen a3; bishop c1; knight e5; pawns d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c2; bishop e6; knight e4; pawns d5/f7/g5/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe3 — queen a3→e3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qd1+ — queen c2→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Qe1 (queen e3→e1).
3. Best move: Qxe1# — queen d1→e1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5p2/4b2p/3pN1p1/3Pn3/Q7/2q2PPP/2B3K1 w - - 4 31

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