Chess Puzzle #03NVE — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks c5/d1; pawns a2/b2/d4/f2/g2/g3. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks e4/e8; pawns a6/b7/d5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb7 — queen b3→b7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e4→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook d1→e1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook e8→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
4. Best move: Qh6# — queen f6→h6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qh6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/1p3ppp/p4q2/2Rp4/3Pr3/1Q4P1/PP3PP1/3R2K1 w - - 8 23

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