Chess Puzzle #2BN5N — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen b3; rooks d1/f1; pawns a4/b5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d4; rooks a8/e4; pawns a5/b7/d3/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d2 — pawn d3→d2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen b3→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook a8→f8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1p3ppp/8/pP6/P2qr3/1Q1p4/6PP/3R1R1K b - - 3 28

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