Chess Puzzle #3a8pU — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen c5; rooks d2/h1; pawns a2/b2/c2/g4/h3. Black: king h8; queen f4; rooks d8/f8; pawns a7/c7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc3 — queen c5→c3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f4→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook h1→f1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf1+ — rook f8→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook d2→d1).
4. Best move: Rfxd1# — rook f1→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rfxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1r1k/p1p3pp/8/2Q5/5qP1/7P/PPPR4/2K4R w - - 1 25

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