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

Position

White: king c1; queen b3; rooks h1/h3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f3/h5. Black: king g7; queen d7; rooks d8/e4; knight e5; pawns a7/b7/c6/g6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: fxe4 — pawn f3→e4, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qd2+ — queen d7→d2, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c1→b1).
3. Best move: Qd1+ — queen d2→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook h1→d1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxd1# — rook d8→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/pp1q2k1/2p3p1/4n2P/4r3/1Q3P1R/PPP5/2K4R w - - 0 24

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