Chess Puzzle #30ikE — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rook d1; bishops b2/e2; pawns a3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f7; rook f8; bishop e6; knight g4; pawns b6/b7/c7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxg4 — bishop e2→g4, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen f7→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook d1→f1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→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: 5rk1/1pp2qp1/1p2b2p/8/6n1/P1Q5/1B2BPPP/3R2K1 w - - 3 27

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