Chess Puzzle #07fCd — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; queen f3; rook f1; pawns a2/b3/c3. Black: king g8; queen e5; rook d8; pawns a7/b7/d5/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d4 — pawn d5→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen f3→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Rh1+ — rook f1→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Qh2+ (queen e5→h2, gives check).
4. Best move: Rxh2# — rook h1→h2, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxh2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/pp4p1/8/3pq3/8/1PP2Q2/PK6/5R2 b - - 5 33

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