Chess Puzzle #1Gf2A — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rooks b1/c1; bishop b7; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king b8; queen b6; rooks d8/f8; bishop b5; pawns a7/c7/d6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb5 — rook b1→b5, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen b6→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook c1→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: 1k1r1r2/pBp4p/1q1p4/1b6/4Q3/8/P4PPP/1RR3K1 w - - 3 28

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