Chess Puzzle #JZ2Lz — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen b4; rooks d1/d5; knight e6; pawns a2/b2/c2. Black: king h6; queen e2; rooks c8/f7; pawns a7/g5/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxg5 — knight e6→g5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc2+ — queen e2→c2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ka1 (king b1→a1).
3. Best move: Qc1+ — queen c2→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook d1→c1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxc1# — rook c8→c1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r5/p4r1p/4N2k/3R2p1/1Q6/8/PPP1q3/1K1R4 w - - 0 32

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