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

Position

White: king g1; queen g7; rooks b3/d1; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e7; queen c5; rooks f7/h8; bishop a6; pawns a7/c6/d6/e5. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxh8 — queen g7→h8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen c5→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook d1→f1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f7→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 7r/p3krQ1/b1pp4/2q1p3/4P3/1RN5/PPP2PPP/3R2K1 w - - 9 27

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