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

Position

White: king h1; queen e6; rook e1; knight f3; pawns a4/b5/c4/d4. Black: king c8; queen g3; rook g2; knight d7; pawns a7/b7/c6/h3. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc6 — pawn b5→c6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rh2+ — rook g2→h2, gives check. Opponent replies Nxh2 (knight f3→h2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qg2# — queen g3→g2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

clearance, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Qg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/pp1n4/2p1Q3/1P6/P1PP4/5Nqp/6r1/4R2K w - - 1 36

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