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

Position

White: king g1; queen a2; rook a1; bishops c1/e2; knight d4; pawns b4/c3/e3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rook d8; bishop b7; knights c4/e5; pawns b5/d5/e4/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra8 — rook d8→a8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa8+ — queen a2→a8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxa8 (bishop b7→a8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxa8+ — rook a1→a8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qb8 (queen b6→b8).
4. Best move: Rxb8# — rook a8→b8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Rxb8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/1b3ppp/1q6/1p1pn3/1PnNp3/2P1P1P1/Q3BP1P/R1B3K1 b - - 8 26

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