Chess Puzzle #1o0Ql — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f7; rook e1; bishop b3; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen b2; rook d8; knight c6; pawns a6/b7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg7 — queen b2→g7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen f7→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen g7→f8).
4. Best move: Qxf8# — queen e8→f8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/1p3Q1p/p1n3p1/8/8/1B6/Pq3PPP/4R1K1 b - - 0 26

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