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

Position

White: king h1; queen d2; rooks d1/e1; pawns a2/b3/c2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks a8/e7; bishop b7; pawns a6/c5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf6 — queen e5→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d2→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook a8→d8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e7→e8).
4. Best move: Rexe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rexe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1b2rppp/p7/2p1q3/8/1P6/P1PQ2PP/3RR2K b - - 1 22

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