Chess Puzzle #2AQ3u — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f2; rooks e1/f1; bishop g4; pawns a2/b2/c4/d5. Black: king g8; queen g5; rook f8; knight d4; pawns a7/b6/c5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxg4 — queen g5→g4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen f2→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook f8→f7, captures queen).
3. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
4. Best move: Rfxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rfxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/p4ppp/1p6/2pP2q1/2Pn2B1/8/PP3Q1K/4RR2 b - - 0 27

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