Chess Puzzle #2dB9V — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d6; rooks a1/e1; bishop c7; pawns a2/c2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c6; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; pawns a7/b6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc3 — queen c6→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen d6→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king g8→f8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Bd6+ — bishop c7→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
4. Best move: Re8# — rook e1→e8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/p1B2ppp/1pqQ4/8/8/2P5/P1P2PPP/R3R1K1 b - - 1 17

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