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

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rooks a1/f1; bishop e5; pawns a6/c3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen e2; rooks f2/f8; pawns a7/b6/c4/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf2 — rook f1→f2, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen e2→f2, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook a1→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. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/p5p1/Pp5p/3QB3/2p5/2P5/4qrPP/R4RK1 w - - 0 32

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