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

Position

White: king h1; queen f3; rooks e1/e2; bishop e3; pawns a2/g2/h2. Black: king f7; queen c3; rook e8; bishop f6; knight g5; pawns a7/b7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxg5 — bishop e3→g5, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxe1+ — queen c3→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook e2→e1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook e8→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qf1 (queen f3→f1).
4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook e1→f1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, X-ray attack. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/pp3kpp/5b2/6n1/8/2q1BQ2/P3R1PP/4R2K w - - 4 24

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