Chess Puzzle #1WqP2 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f7; rooks a1/e4; bishop c6; pawns a2/c3/d4/f2/g4/h2. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks b2/f8; bishop h3; pawns a6/c7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e4→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
3. Best move: Bd5+ — bishop c6→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
4. Best move: Rxf8# — rook e8→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: 5rk1/2p2Qpp/p1B5/8/3PR1Pq/2P4b/Pr3P1P/R5K1 b - - 0 22

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