Chess Puzzle #CbTTE — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen a2; rook f2; bishop e5; pawns c4/e3/g4/h3. Black: king f8; queen d3; bishops d2/f3; knight e8; pawns b7/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd2 — queen a2→d2, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qb1+ — queen d3→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Qc1 (queen d2→c1).
3. Best move: Qxc1# — queen b1→c1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4nk2/1p4pp/5p2/4B3/2P3P1/3qPb1P/Q2b1R2/4K3 w - - 0 25

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