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

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; rooks a1/f1; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d5; rooks e5/e8; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfd1 — rook f1→d1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxd1+ — queen d5→d1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook a1→d1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Re1+ — rook e5→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, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/pp3p1p/2p3p1/3qr3/8/2P3Q1/PP3PPP/R4RK1 w - - 2 20

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