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

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rooks d1/d2; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2/g3. Black: king h7; queen f6; rooks e6/e8; pawns a6/b5/f4/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxf4 — pawn g3→f4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e6→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook d1→e1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook e8→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
4. Best move: Qh4# — queen f6→h4, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qh4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/6pk/p3rq1p/1p1Q4/5p2/P5P1/1P1R1PP1/3R2K1 w - - 0 26

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