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

Position

White: king c1; queen d2; rooks d1/h1; bishops e6/f4; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f2/f3/h2. Black: king b8; queen a6; rooks d8/h8; bishop f8; knights c6/e7; pawns a7/b7/c5/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ka8 — king b8→a8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen d2→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nxd8 (knight c6→d8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Nc8 (knight e7→c8).
4. Best move: Rxc8# — rook d8→c8, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Rxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r1b1r/pp2n1pp/q1n1Bp2/2p5/4PB2/5P2/PPPQ1P1P/2KR3R b - - 1 15

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