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

Position

White: king h1; queen b3; rooks f1/f7; pawns a4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks a8/f8; pawns a5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen b3→f7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook a8→f8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/5Rpp/8/p3q3/P7/1Q5P/6P1/5R1K b - - 4 32

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