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

Position

White: king c2; queen f8; rooks d1/e1; knight d5; pawns a2/b3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king b7; queen b4; rook c7; pawns a3/d4/f5/f7/h7. White is ahead by 8 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc7 — knight d5→c7, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc3+ — queen b4→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c2→b1).
3. Best move: Qb2# — queen c3→b2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, fork, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qb2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5Q2/1kr2p1p/8/3N1p2/1q1p4/pP6/P1K2PPP/3RR3 w - - 0 25

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