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

Position

White: king h1; queen d2; rook d1; bishop g2; knight f6; pawns a3/b2/c4/e5/f4/h2. Black: king h8; queen h4; rooks a8/g7; bishop e7; knight b4; pawns a5/b7/c7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook a8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen d2→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxd8 (bishop e7→d8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rg8 (rook g7→g8).
4. Best move: Rxg8# — rook d8→g8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

arabian mate, exposed king, kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Rxg8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r6k/1pp1b1r1/5N1p/p3P3/1nP2P1q/P7/1P1Q2BP/3R3K b - - 0 24

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