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

Position

White: king f1; queen d5; rooks a1/h1; bishop g4; knight c5; pawns a2/f2/f4/g2/h2. Black: king b8; queen b5; rooks a8/e8; pawns a7/b7/c7/h7. White is ahead by 7 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be2 — bishop g4→e2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxe2+ — queen b5→e2, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king f1→g1).
3. Best move: Qe1+ — queen e2→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook a1→e1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: rk2r3/ppp4p/8/1qNQ4/5PB1/8/P4PPP/R4K1R w - - 5 23

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