Chess Puzzle #1R2Lp — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks b1/c1; bishop g3; pawns a3/b2/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks b3/c8; knight c6; pawns a4/d4/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne7 — knight c6→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen c2→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nxc8 (knight e7→c8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen b6→d8).
4. Best move: Rxd8# — rook c8→d8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/5ppp/1qn1p3/3pP3/p2p4/Pr4B1/1PQ2PPP/1RR3K1 b - - 7 24

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