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

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rook c3; pawns a3/b2/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c5; rooks c8/d3; pawns a5/b7/e6/f5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd3 — rook c3→d3, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc1+ — queen c5→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc1 (queen f4→c1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c8→c1, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook d3→d1).
4. Best move: Rxd1# — rook c1→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/1p5p/4p1p1/p1q1Pp2/5Q2/P1Rr4/1P3PPP/6K1 w - - 0 31

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