Chess Puzzle #4G0cu — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen a3; rook c1; knight c5; pawns b5/e5/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen f4; rook f8; knights c6/d4; pawns a7/b7/g6/h4. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc6 — pawn b5→c6, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f4→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook c1→f1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, sacrifice, short. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k2r2/pp6/2n3p1/1PN1P3/3n1q1p/Q7/6PP/2R4K w - - 1 34

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