Chess Puzzle #5EDZn — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b4; rook b1; pawns a2/c2/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rook f8; knight e3; pawns e6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: fxe3 — pawn f2→e3, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf2+ — queen f6→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook b1→f1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/7p/4pqp1/8/1Q1P4/4n3/P1P2PPP/1R4K1 w - - 0 24

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