Chess Puzzle #1eo8o — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rooks a1/e5; pawns a3/b4/c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d2; rooks a8/f8; pawns a6/c6/c7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc6 — queen c4→c6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen d2→f2, captures pawn, 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, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4r1k/2p4p/p1p3p1/4R3/1PQP4/P1P5/3q1PPP/R5K1 w - - 1 24

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