Chess Puzzle #9itBG — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; queen h7; rook a8; knight b1; pawns a2/b3/d4/f3/g4. Black: king f7; queen f4; bishop e1; knight g7; pawns a5/c3/c6/d5. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ka3 — king b2→a3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qd6+ — queen f4→d6, gives check. Opponent replies b4 (pawn b3→b4).
3. Best move: Qxb4# — queen d6→b4, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxb4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: R7/5knQ/2p5/p2p4/3P1qP1/1Pp2P2/PK6/1N2b3 w - - 0 34

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