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

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rooks c1/h3; pawns a3/b4/d4/e3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks c8/f8; pawns a7/b6/c6/d5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qh5 — queen g4→h5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf2+ — queen f6→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook c1→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: 2r2rk1/p5pp/1pp2q2/3p4/1P1P2Q1/P3P2R/6PP/2R3K1 w - - 3 23

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