Chess Puzzle #CfzA9 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rook a1; knight c3; pawns a5/b4/d4/g2/h2. Black: king d7; queen d2; rook f8; knight e6; pawns a7/b7/c6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re1 — rook a1→e1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf2+ — queen d2→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f2→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook e1→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: 5r2/pp1k2pp/2p1n3/P3Q3/1P1P4/2N5/3q2PP/R5K1 w - - 2 28

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