Chess Puzzle #1U9y4 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen e7; rooks d3/e2; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f4; rooks e4/f8; bishop a7; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/f7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf3 — rook d3→f3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc1+ — queen f4→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Nd1 (knight c3→d1).
3. Best move: Qxd1+ — queen c1→d1, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Re1 (rook e2→e1).
4. Best move: Qxe1# — queen d1→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Qxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/bp2Qp1p/p3p3/3p4/4rq2/2NR3P/PPP1RPP1/5K2 w - - 9 23

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