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

Position

White: king b1; queen f7; rooks d1/e1; pawns a2/b2/e3. Black: king e4; queen h2; rook c7; knight d7; pawns b7/e5/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd7 — rook d1→d7, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc2+ — queen h2→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Ka1 (king b1→a1).
3. Best move: Qc1+ — queen c2→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook e1→c1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxc1# — rook c7→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/1prn1Q1p/8/4p3/4k3/4P3/PP5q/1K1RR3 w - - 1 24

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