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

Position

White: king h3; queen e3; rook f1; knight e2; pawns a3/b4/d4/f2/h4. Black: king g8; queen h5; rook f8; knight f3; pawns b7/c6/d5/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ng3 — knight e2→g3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxh4+ — queen h5→h4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king h3→g2).
3. Best move: Qh2# — queen h4→h2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/1p4p1/2p5/3p3q/1P1P3P/P3Qn1K/4NP2/5R2 w - - 5 35

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