Chess Puzzle #228Ju — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d4; rooks a1/e6; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c2; rooks a8/f8; knight d5; pawns a5/b5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd5 — queen d4→d5, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen c2→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: r4rk1/6pp/4R3/pp1n4/3Q4/P7/1Pq2PPP/R5K1 w - - 0 23

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