Chess Puzzle #0i525 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen d2; rooks d1/h1; bishop f1; pawns a2/b2/f3/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen c7; rooks c8/h8; bishop d6; knight f6; pawns a6/e5/f7/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd6 — queen d2→d6, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc2+ — queen c7→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Ka1 (king b1→a1).
3. Best move: Qc1+ — queen c2→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook d1→c1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxc1# — rook c8→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r1k2r/2q2pp1/p2b1n2/4p2p/8/5P2/PP1Q2PP/1K1R1B1R w k - 0 20

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