Chess Puzzle #2SWQ5 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks b1/b6; knight e5; pawns a3/c5/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen h4; rooks b8/f6; bishop c8; pawns b7/d5/e4/e6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg4 — queen d1→g4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen h4→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook b1→f1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f6→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: 1rb4k/1p4pp/1R2pr2/2PpN3/3Pp2q/P3P3/5PPP/1R1Q2K1 w - - 6 30

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