Chess Puzzle #26SOu — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rooks a1/e3; bishop c3; pawns a2/b3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f4; rooks a8/f7; knight b6; pawns a6/c6/d5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg3 — rook e3→g3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen f4→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 f7→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/5rpp/pnp5/3p4/5qQ1/1PB1R3/P4PPP/R5K1 w - - 4 24

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