Chess Puzzle #23ZA0 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e5; rooks a1/e1; pawns a2/b2/c3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen f2; rooks e8/f8; pawns a6/b5/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg3 — queen e5→g3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook e8→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook a1→e1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook e1→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: 4rr1k/6p1/p6p/1p2Q3/8/2P5/PP3qPP/R3R2K w - - 1 28

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