Chess Puzzle #2F9oE — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks c1/c6; pawns a3/b2/d4/e5/f2/g3/h2. Black: king e8; queen g5; rooks c8/h6; pawns a5/c7/d5/e6/f7/h3. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc7 — rook c6→c7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen g5→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook c7→c1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c8→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qd1 (queen f3→d1).
4. Best move: Rxd1# — rook c1→d1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, X-ray attack. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r1k3/2p2p2/2R1p2r/p2pP1q1/3P4/P4QPp/1P3P1P/2R3K1 w - - 2 27

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