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

Position

White: king b2; queen b4; rooks e1/e3; bishop g7; pawns a2/f4/h6. Black: king h7; queen d5; rook c7; bishops e7/f5; pawns d6/g6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe7 — rook e3→e7, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc2+ — rook c7→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Ka1 (king b2→a1).
3. Best move: Qxa2# — queen d5→a2, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Qxa2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/2r1b1Bk/3p2pP/3q1b2/1Q3P2/4R3/PK6/4R3 w - - 0 42

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