Chess Puzzle #50plv — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f5; rooks a1/a2; pawns c3/d4/f2/h3. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks a4/a8; pawns b6/c7/d5/f3/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa4 — rook a2→a4, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen h4→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king h2→h1).
3. Best move: Qg2# — queen f2→g2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/2p3pp/1p6/3p1Q2/r2P3q/2P2p1P/R4P1K/R7 w - - 0 28

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