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

Position

White: king g1; queen f2; rook e2; pawns a3/b4/c3/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rook c2; knight e3; pawns a4/b5/c6/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc2 — rook e2→c2, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qd1+ — queen d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Qe1 (queen f2→e1).
3. Best move: Qxe1# — queen d1→e1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, master, master vs master, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3q2k1/8/2p3p1/1p5p/pP3P2/P1P1n1P1/2r1RQ1P/6K1 w - - 0 38

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