Chess Puzzle #1a7F5 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rooks d1/d5; pawns a2/b3/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen b7; rooks b8/f8; bishop f6; pawns a7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfd8 — rook f8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d5→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook b8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxd8 (bishop f6→d8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qe8# — queen a4→e8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Qe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r3r1k/pq4pp/5b2/3R4/Q7/1P2P3/P4PPP/3R2K1 b - - 12 26

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