Chess Puzzle #5Nq21 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks a1/e1; bishop g2; knight e5; pawns a2/b2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king c8; queen d4; rooks d2/g8; knights c6/f6; pawns a6/b7/c7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc6 — knight e5→c6, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen d4→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qxg2# — queen f2→g2, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k3r1/1pp5/p1n2n1p/4N3/3q4/1Q4P1/PP1r1PBP/R3R1K1 w - - 5 22

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