Chess Puzzle #0AyGx — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f2; rook f1; knight d2; pawns a2/b2/c3/e3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rook d3; bishop c6; pawns a6/b7/c5/e4/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd2 — rook d3→d2, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen f2→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf8 (queen d8→f8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3q2k1/1p4pp/p1b5/2p5/4p3/2PrP3/PP1N1QPP/5RK1 b - - 5 22

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