Chess Puzzle #1pO6T — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen c7; rooks d1/h1; pawns a2/b2/c3/c6/e3. Black: king a8; queen f3; rook e8; bishop f8; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/e7/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc6 — queen f3→c6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook e8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen c7→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qc8 (queen c6→c8).
4. Best move: Qxc8# — queen d8→c8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

fork, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Qxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: k3rb2/ppQ1p3/2P2n1p/6p1/8/2P1Pq2/PP6/2KR3R b - - 0 25

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