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

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rooks e1/e4; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/e8; pawns a6/b7/c6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd7 — queen d8→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e4→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook a8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen e3→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe8 (queen d7→e8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2qr1k1/1p3ppp/p1p5/8/4R3/P3Q2P/1P3PP1/4R1K1 b - - 4 26

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