Chess Puzzle #129RL — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks a1/e1; bishop c1; pawns a3/b4/c4/d4/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen f5; rooks a8/f8; bishop e7; knight e4; pawns a7/c6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe4 — queen d3→e4, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf2+ — queen f5→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook e1→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: r4r1k/p3b1p1/2p4p/5q2/1PPPn3/P2Q4/6PP/R1B1R1K1 w - - 0 27

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