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

Position

White: king b1; queen b5; rooks d4/g1; pawns b2/f4/g3. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks c6/h2; pawns f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd4 — queen d8→d4, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen b5→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c6→c8).
3. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen b8→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen d4→d8).
4. Best move: Qxd8# — queen c8→d8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3q2k1/5ppp/2r5/1Q6/3R1P2/6P1/1P5r/1K4R1 b - - 0 28

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