Chess Puzzle #4BJlW — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rooks c1/c6; pawns a3/b2/d4/e3/e5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f7; rooks a8/f8; pawns a5/b6/d5/e4/e6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc7 — rook c6→c7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf2+ — queen f7→f2, 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: r4rk1/5qpp/1pR1p3/p2pP3/3Pp3/P1Q1P3/1P4PP/2R3K1 w - - 2 26

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