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

Position

White: king h1; queen c7; rooks b1/f5; bishop c5; pawns b4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks a2/d8; knight e2; pawns b7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rad2 — rook a2→d2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen c7→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook d8→f8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f5→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/1pQ2ppp/8/2B2R2/1P5q/8/r3n1PP/1R5K b - - 5 31

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