Chess Puzzle #1Q73b — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; rooks h1/h3; knight h5; pawns e5/f3. Black: king g8; queen d2; rook f8; bishop a4; pawns a5/b7/d5/e6/g6. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc3 — queen d2→c3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf6+ — knight h5→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf6 (rook f8→f6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h3→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
4. Best move: R1h7# — rook h1→h7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

clearance, endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with R1h7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/1p6/4p1p1/p2pP2N/b7/5PKR/3q4/7R b - - 3 50

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