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

Position

White: king b1; queen e4; rooks e1/e2; pawns b2/d4/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen b3; rooks a8/c8; knight e3; pawns a5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc4 — knight e3→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e4→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook c8→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e2→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook a8→e8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1r4k/6pp/8/p7/3PQ3/1q2n1P1/1P2R2P/1K2R3 b - - 0 29

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