Chess Puzzle #3J8B0 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f7; rook c1; knight g3; pawns f3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen c2; rook a8; bishop f8; knight e3; pawns e5/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc2 — rook c1→c2, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a8→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Rc1 (rook c2→c1).
3. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook a1→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nf1 (knight g3→f1).
4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook c1→f1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4b1k/5Qpp/5p2/4p3/8/4nPN1/2q3PP/2R4K w - - 0 33

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