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

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rook e1; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h7; queen f5; rook f6; knight e7; pawns a7/b7/d6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe7 — queen e2→e7, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen f5→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook e1→f1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f6→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: 8/pp2n1pk/3p1r1p/5q2/3P4/2P5/PP2QPPP/4R1K1 w - - 5 26

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