Chess Puzzle #590uT — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c6; rooks e1/e2; knight e5; pawns a2/b2/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g5; queen f5; rooks a8/f8; knight e4; pawns a6/b5/d5/g4/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe4 — rook e2→e4, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen f5→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook e1→f1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r4r2/8/p1Q5/1p1pNqkp/3Pn1p1/8/PP2RPPP/4R1K1 w - - 8 30

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