Chess Puzzle #1fI8N — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks d7/e7; knight c7; pawns a3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; rooks a8/c3; knight d8; pawns a6/f7/g4/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxa8 — knight c7→a8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c3→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook d7→d1).
3. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook c1→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Re1 (rook e7→e1).
4. Best move: Rxe1# — rook d1→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2n1k2/2NRRp1p/p5p1/8/6p1/P1r5/5PPP/6K1 w - - 0 27

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