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

Position

White: king h1; queen e5; rook b2; bishop h6; pawns a2/c3/f4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen g3; rook e8; bishop c5; knight e4; pawns a7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe5 — rook e8→e5, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b2→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e5→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook b8→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop c5→f8).
4. Best move: Rxf8# — rook e8→f8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, fork, long, mate, mate in 3, opera mate. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/p4p1p/6pB/2b1Q3/4nP2/2P3qP/PR4P1/7K b - - 8 33

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