Chess Puzzle #Ih0sW — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen h6; rooks d1/d6; bishop b1; pawns b2/e4/f4. Black: king f7; queen a1; rook c3; pawns a6/b3/f6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc3+ — queen a1→c3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Bc2 (bishop b1→c2).
3. Best move: Qxc2# — queen c3→c2, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxc2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/5k1p/p2R1ppQ/8/4PP2/1pr5/1P6/qBKR4 w - - 0 31

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