Chess Puzzle #3VnYc — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e6; rook a1; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen h4; rook f8; bishop d6; pawns a7/b7/c7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qh3 — queen e6→h3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf2+ — queen h4→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook a1→f1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/ppp4p/3bQ3/8/3P3q/2N5/PPP3PP/R5K1 w - - 0 20

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