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

Position

White: king g2; rooks b3/f3; pawns b2/d4/e5/f2/g3/h4. Black: king g8; queen e7; rook c7; bishop e4; pawns d5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf7 — queen e7→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b3→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c7→c8).
3. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook b8→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen f7→e8).
4. Best move: Rxe8# — rook c8→e8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2r1q1pp/8/3pP3/3Pb2P/1R3RP1/1P3PK1/8 b - - 0 40

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