Chess Puzzle #1oF4X — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rook b1; knight c5; pawns c4/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h6; queen a2; rook f4; pawns f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc1 — rook b1→c1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen a2→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 f4→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, fork, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p1p/6pk/2NP4/2P2r2/2Q5/q4PPP/1R4K1 w - - 1 44

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