Chess Puzzle #0NIGJ — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen f3; rook d2; bishop e3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e5/f4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c4; rooks c8/d7; pawns a5/b4/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd7 — rook d2→d7, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc2+ — queen c4→c2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ka1 (king b1→a1).
3. Best move: Qc1+ — queen c2→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc1 (bishop e3→c1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxc1# — rook c8→c1, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/3r1ppp/8/p3P3/1pq2P2/4BQ1P/PPPR2P1/1K6 w - - 0 25

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