Chess Puzzle #3zR2F — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b3; queen f4; rooks d1/h1; bishop b4; pawns a3/d2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen a6; rook c8; bishop f6; knight b6; pawns e6/f5/f7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc1 — rook d1→c1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qa4+ — queen a6→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Ka2 (king b3→a2).
3. Best move: Rc2+ — rook c8→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc2 (rook c1→c2, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxc2# — queen a4→c2, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

collinear, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Qxc2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r4k/5p1p/qn2pb2/5p2/1B3Q2/PK6/3P1PPP/3R3R w - - 2 28

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