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

Position

White: king h1; queen f4; rook e1; pawns a3/c2/f2/g2. Black: king g8; queen d7; rook b6; bishop h3; pawns a6/b7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be6 — bishop h3→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen f4→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Qc8 (queen d7→c8).
3. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen b8→c8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc8 (bishop e6→c8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Re8# — rook e1→e8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Re8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1p1q1ppp/pr6/8/5Q2/P6b/2P2PP1/4R2K b - - 1 26

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