Chess Puzzle #29fdj — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rooks a1/f1; pawns a3/b2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c5; rooks d7/d8; pawns a7/b6/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfc1 — rook f1→c1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen c5→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook a1→c1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d7→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook c1→d1, captures rook).
4. Best move: Rxd1# — rook d8→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/p2r1pp1/1p2p2p/2q5/4Q3/P3P3/1P3PPP/R4RK1 w - - 0 19

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