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

Position

White: king g1; queen h3; rooks d7/f1; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g5; queen f4; rooks c8/f8; pawns a7/b7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxh7 — rook d7→h7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen f4→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf2 (rook f1→f2, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c8→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f2→f1).
4. Best move: Rcxf1# — rook c1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rcxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r2r2/pp1R3p/6p1/6k1/5q2/7Q/P4PPP/5RK1 w - - 7 29

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