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

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks a1/e1; knight e5; pawns a2/b2/c4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c5; rooks d8/f8; bishop e4; pawns a7/b6/c7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe4 — rook e1→e4, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen c5→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook a1→f1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/p1p3pp/1p6/2q1N3/2P1b3/1Q6/PP3PPP/R3R1K1 w - - 0 19

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