Chess Puzzle #8MZk4 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishop e1; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c5/d4/e3/f2. Black: king c8; queen h4; rook f8; bishop d7; knight d3; pawns a7/b7/c7/d5/e4/g4/g7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh1 — rook f1→h1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxf2+ — rook f8→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Bxf2 (bishop e1→f2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf2# — queen h4→f2, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxf2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k2r2/pppb2p1/8/2Pp4/3Pp1pq/2NnP3/PP3PK1/R2QBR2 w - - 0 22

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