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

Position

White: king h1; queen f7; rooks a7/f1; pawns a3/c3/d4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen g5; rook f8; knight e3; pawns c6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a7→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen g5→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook a8→d8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
4. Best move: Rfxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rfxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/R4Qpp/2p5/6q1/3P4/P1P1n2P/6P1/5R1K b - - 0 23

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