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

Position

White: king h2; queen a7; rook f3; bishop g2; pawns a3/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen h6; rooks e6/e8; pawns c6/e5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e4 — pawn e5→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen a7→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook e8→f8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f3→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: 4r1k1/Q5pp/2p1r2q/4p3/8/P4RPP/6BK/8 b - - 0 33

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