Chess Puzzle #1w5us — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen h7; rook h5; pawns a2/c3/e3. Black: king g4; queen e5; rooks f4/f8; pawns a6/b5/d5/e6. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe5 — rook h5→e5, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rf1+ — rook f4→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king e1→e2).
3. Best move: R8f2+ — rook f8→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Kd3 (king e2→d3).
4. Best move: Rd1# — rook f1→d1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3, queen rook endgame. The combination ends with Rd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/7Q/p3p3/1p1pq2R/5rk1/2P1P3/P7/4K3 w - - 2 31

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