Chess Puzzle #1cY26 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a5; rook e5; pawns a3/c2/d3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen b2; rook c8; bishop b7; pawns d4/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc2 — rook c8→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e5→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qf5+ — queen a5→f5, gives check. Opponent replies g6 (pawn g7→g6).
4. Best move: Qxf7# — queen f5→f7, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxf7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/1b3pp1/7p/Q3R3/3p4/P2P2P1/1qP2P1P/6K1 b - - 0 27

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