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

Position

White: king a1; queen f3; rooks c3/e2; pawns a2/b2/c2/e5/f4/g5/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks c4/f8; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/f5/g7/h4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc4 — rook c3→c4, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qg1+ — queen b6→g1, gives check. Opponent replies Re1 (rook e2→e1).
3. Best move: Qxe1+ — queen g1→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qd1 (queen f3→d1).
4. Best move: Qxd1# — queen e1→d1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/1p4p1/pq2p3/3pPpP1/2r2P1p/2R2Q2/PPP1R2P/K7 w - - 1 26

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