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

Position

White: king e1; queen e7; rooks c1/h1; knight e2; pawns a2/b3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b2; rook d3; pawns a7/b5/c6/e5/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b4 — pawn b3→b4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qd2+ — queen b2→d2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king e1→f1).
3. Best move: Qd1+ — queen d2→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook c1→d1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxd1# — rook d3→d1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxd1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p3Qpp1/2p4p/1p2p3/8/1P1r4/Pq2NPPP/2R1K2R w K - 4 24

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