Chess Puzzle #5H2J0 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a4; queen c4; rooks e2/f3; pawns a2/b2/c3/g4/h5. Black: king g8; queen g5; rooks a1/b7; pawns a7/c6/f7/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: hxg6 — pawn h5→g6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxa2+ — rook a1→a2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxa2 (queen c4→a2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qb5+ — queen g5→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Ka3 (king a4→a3).
4. Best move: Qa5# — queen b5→a5, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, fork, long, master, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Qa5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pr3p2/2p3p1/6qP/K1Q3P1/2P2R2/PP2R3/r7 w - - 7 31

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