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

Position

White: king b1; rooks f1/f2; bishop e3; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/g5/h2. Black: king g8; rook c8; bishops b7/f8; knights e5/f3; pawns a6/b5/d6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nh4 — knight f3→h4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f2→f8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook c8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Ne7+ — knight d5→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
4. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, deflection, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2r2bk1/1b4pp/p2p4/1p1Nn1P1/4P3/4Bn2/PPP2R1P/1K3R2 b - - 3 21

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