Chess Puzzle #7aXBp — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d3; rooks d1/f1; pawns a3/b2/c2/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen d7; rook e8; bishops c6/d4; pawns a7/b7/c7/g6/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd4 — queen d3→d4, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen d7→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
3. Best move: Qxg2# — queen h3→g2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, pin, short. The combination ends with Qxg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/pppq2p1/2b3p1/8/3b4/P2Q3P/1PP3P1/3R1R1K w - - 2 26

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