Chess Puzzle #50fUI — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c7; rook c1; knight g3; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e1; rook e8; knight d4; pawns a7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe1 — rook c1→e1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook e8→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nf1 (knight g3→f1).
3. Best move: Ne2+ — knight d4→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook e1→f1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, deflection, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/p1Q2ppp/8/8/3n4/6N1/P4PPP/2R1q1K1 w - - 6 25

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