Chess Puzzle #23ZPD — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d5; knights e5/g3; pawns a3/b4/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen g1; rooks f4/f8; bishop d3; pawns a5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxg1 — king h1→g1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rf1+ — rook f4→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Nxf1 (knight g3→f1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, mate, mate in 2, opera mate, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/6pp/8/p2QN3/1P3r2/P2b2N1/6PP/6qK w - - 0 32

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