Chess Puzzle #1CgJ2 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen e8; rooks a1/f1; bishops b2/g4; knight b1; pawns a2/b3/c4/e3/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen h6; rooks a8/g6; bishops c8/f8; pawns a7/b7/c6/e5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxg4 — bishop c8→g4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen e8→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen f7→f8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook a8→f8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, deflection, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b1Qbk1/pp3ppp/2p3rq/4p3/2P3B1/1P2P1PP/PB5K/RN3R2 b - - 4 20

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