Chess Puzzle #1z0gS — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rook b1; pawns a2/d6/f2/g3/h2. Black: king f8; queen c2; rook d8; knight d7; pawns a6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb8 — rook d8→b8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb8+ — queen b7→b8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nxb8 (knight d7→b8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxb8+ — rook b1→b8, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Qc8 (queen c2→c8).
4. Best move: Rxc8# — rook b8→c8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r1k2/1Q1n1ppp/p2P4/8/8/6P1/P1q2P1P/1R4K1 b - - 0 25

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