Chess Puzzle #4E041 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen d6; rook c1; knight b3; pawns a2/b2/c2/g6. Black: king a8; queen e4; rook e8; bishop f5; pawns a6/b7/f6/g7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc5 — knight b3→c5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc2+ — queen e4→c2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc2 (rook c1→c2, captures queen).
3. Best move: Re1+ — rook e8→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Qd1 (queen d6→d1).
4. Best move: Rxd1# — rook e1→d1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: k3r3/1p4p1/p2Q1pP1/5b2/4q3/1N6/PPP5/1KR5 w - - 0 31

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