Chess Puzzle #1YCn2 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h7; rook c1; pawns b5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king b8; queen b6; rook f8; pawns d6/g4/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxh5 — queen h7→h5, captures pawn. 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, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k3r2/7Q/1q1p4/1P5p/6p1/8/5PPP/2R3K1 w - - 2 40

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