Chess Puzzle #3LHo3 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks b1/e1; bishop e2; knight e4; pawns a2/c3/f2/g2. Black: king c8; queen h4; rook h8; knight c6; pawns a7/b6/c7/f5/g4/g7. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ng3 — knight e4→g3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh2+ — queen h4→h2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
3. Best move: Qh1+ — queen h2→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Nxh1 (knight g3→h1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxh1# — rook h8→h1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxh1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/p1p3p1/1pn5/5p2/4N1pq/1QP5/P3BPP1/1R2R1K1 w - - 1 22

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