Chess Puzzle #49TB8 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g6; rooks c1/d1; pawns a3/b2/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen b6; rooks d5/f8; bishop b7; pawns a6/b5/e6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd5 — rook d1→d5, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen b6→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook c1→f1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/1b6/pq2p1Q1/1p1rP3/8/P7/1P3PPP/2RR2K1 w - - 3 31

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