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

Position

White: king g1; queen b2; rooks a1/d1; bishop e2; knight e4; pawns a4/b5/c4/d5/e3/f2/g2. Black: king f7; queen h4; rooks a8/h8; knight b8; pawns a7/b7/c6/f6/g4/g6. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ng3 — knight e4→g3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh2+ — queen h4→h2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
3. Best move: Qh1+ — queen h2→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Nxh1 (knight g3→h1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxh1# — rook h8→h1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxh1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: rn5r/pp3k2/2p2pp1/1P1P4/P1P1N1pq/4P3/1Q2BPP1/R2R2K1 w - - 3 22

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