Chess Puzzle #50kTX — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen h8; rooks d1/h1; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g5/h4. Black: king e8; queen c5; rooks c8/d5; bishop f8; pawns a4/b4/e5/f7/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd5 — rook d1→d5, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc2+ — queen c5→c2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ka1 (king b1→a1).
3. Best move: Qc1+ — queen c2→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook h1→c1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxc1# — rook c8→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxc1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r1kb1Q/5p2/6p1/2qrp1P1/pp5P/5N2/PPP2P2/1K1R3R w - - 2 29

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