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

Position

White: king d2; queen h6; rook e5; bishop b2; pawns a2/b3/c2/h5. Black: king h8; queen c7; rooks e7/f1; bishop c5; pawns a6/b5/d4. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh7 — rook e7→h7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e5→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop c5→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook e8→f8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook f1→f8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxf8# — queen h6→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, pin. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7k/2q1r3/p6Q/1pb1R2P/3p4/1P6/PBPK4/5r2 b - - 0 33

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