Chess Puzzle #1BRdg — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c5; rooks a1/d7; pawns a2/c3/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c2; rooks e8/f8; pawns a7/b6/e6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc7 — queen c5→c7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen c2→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, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4rrk1/p2R2pp/1p2p3/2Q5/4P3/2P5/P1q2PPP/R5K1 w - - 0 20

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