Chess Puzzle #17NEQ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rooks d1/d4; pawns b3/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen a2; rooks b8/c8; pawns a7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h6 — pawn h7→h6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d4→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook c8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook b8→d8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxd8# — queen h4→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1rr2k2/p4ppp/4p3/8/3R3Q/1P6/q1P2PPP/3R2K1 b - - 3 22

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