Chess Puzzle #5HUOK — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rook a1; bishop d2; pawns a2/b3/c3/d4/e3/g2/h2. Black: king f7; queen e2; rook f6; pawns a7/b6/e6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc2 — queen e4→c2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf2+ — queen e2→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook a1→f1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f6→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: 8/p4kpp/1p2pr2/8/3PQ3/1PP1P3/P2Bq1PP/R5K1 w - - 1 26

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