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

Position

White: king h1; queen e2; rooks d1/f1; bishop b4; pawns a2/b2/c3/e4/e5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c6; rooks f7/g6; bishop g4; pawns a6/b5/c7/f4/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxe2 — bishop g4→e2, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen c6→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook d8→e8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
4. Best move: Rxf8# — rook e8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2p2rpp/p1q3r1/1p2P3/1B2Ppb1/2P5/PP2Q1PP/3R1R1K b - - 0 31

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