Chess Puzzle #4P5iR — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rooks a1/e7; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen b2; rooks a8/f8; pawns a5/b7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rae1 — rook a1→e1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen b2→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook e1→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: r4r1k/1p2R1pp/8/p2Q4/8/8/Pq3PPP/R5K1 w - - 1 21

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