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

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rooks a1/e2; knight g5; pawns a3/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen f5; rook f8; knight e5; pawns a6/b5/d7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe5 — rook e2→e5, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen f5→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 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: 5r1k/3p2pp/p7/1p1QnqN1/8/P7/1PP1RPPP/R5K1 w - - 1 22

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