Chess Puzzle #4X90I — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c6; rooks a1/f1; knight c5; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king b8; queen d4; rooks e7/e8; pawns a5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfd1 — rook f1→d1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxd1+ — queen d4→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook a1→d1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Re1+ — rook e7→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook d1→e1, captures rook).
4. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k2r3/4r1pp/2Q5/p1N5/3q4/8/PP3PPP/R4RK1 w - - 0 27

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