Chess Puzzle #5LfKo — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen a8; rook b3; pawns a2/c2/c4/d3/f4/g2/h2. Black: king d2; queen c5; pawns a3/c6/d6/f5/h7. White is ahead by 7 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa3 — queen a8→a3, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qg1+ — queen c5→g1, gives check. Opponent replies Qc1+ (queen a3→c1, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxc1# — queen g1→c1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: Q7/7p/2pp4/2q2p2/2P2P2/pR1P4/P1Pk2PP/1K6 w - - 17 44

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