Chess Puzzle #2bc5W — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; rooks b1/e1; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d2; rooks c2/f8; pawns a7/b7/f6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re7 — rook e1→e7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c2→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook b1→c1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen d2→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Re1 (rook e7→e1).
4. Best move: Qxe1# — queen c1→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/pp4pp/5p2/8/8/P5Q1/1Prq1PPP/1R2R1K1 w - - 1 24

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