Chess Puzzle #14YMS — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks d1/e3; bishop b5; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen f7; rooks e8/f8; knight c6; pawns a6/b7/c7/e6/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc6 — bishop b5→c6, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen f7→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook d1→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: 2k1rr2/1pp2qp1/p1n1p3/1B5p/8/1Q2R3/PP3PPP/3R2K1 w - - 2 21

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