Chess Puzzle #2huE2 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f2; rooks a5/f1; pawns d4/e3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d5; rook d8; bishop a8; pawns d6/e4/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa5 — queen d5→a5, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf7+ — queen f2→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook d8→f8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→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: b2r2k1/6pp/3p4/R2q4/3Pp3/4P1P1/5Q1P/5RK1 b - - 0 34

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