Chess Puzzle #2xv2I — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rook d4; pawns f4/g2/h6. Black: king g8; queen e6; rook d8; pawns e3/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd4 — rook d8→d4, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen e4→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d4→d8).
3. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen a8→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen e6→e8).
4. Best move: Qxe8# — queen d8→e8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/5p1p/4q1pP/8/3RQP2/4p3/6P1/6K1 b - - 0 40

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