Chess Puzzle #4th3L — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; queen f3; rook e1; pawns a2/b2/f2/g3. Black: king b8; queen c2; rook d4; pawns a7/b7/e4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe3 — queen f3→e3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d4→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook e1→d1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd1+ — queen c2→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qc1 (queen e3→c1).
4. Best move: Qxc1# — queen d1→c1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/pp6/8/8/3rp3/5QP1/PPq2P2/K3R3 w - - 0 32

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