Chess Puzzle #NpZoP — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h7; rooks d1/f1; knight f3; pawns a3/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king c7; queen b5; rooks a8/f8; bishop e5; knight d4; pawns a6/c5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe5 — knight f3→e5, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf1+ — queen b5→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook d1→f1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Ne2+ — knight d4→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
4. Best move: Rxf1# — rook f8→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, deflection, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4r2/2k3pQ/p6p/1qp1b3/3n4/P4N2/1PP3PP/3R1RK1 w - - 0 27

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