Chess Puzzle #0NYVi — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen b3; rook d1; pawns a2/b2/c3/f4/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen c5; rook d8; pawns a7/c7/e4/f5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd1 — rook d8→d1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen b3→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d1→d8).
3. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen b8→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen c5→f8).
4. Best move: Qxf8# — queen d8→f8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/p1p3pp/8/2q2p2/4pP2/1QP3P1/PP4KP/3R4 b - - 1 26

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