Chess Puzzle #33eIe — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen d3; rook f7; bishop g2; pawns a6/b5/c2/e2/g3. Black: king c8; queen a1; rooks e8/h8; pawns a7/b6/c7/d5/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ref8 — rook e8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf5+ — queen d3→f5, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
3. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f7→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook h8→f8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxf8# — queen f5→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k1r2r/p1p2Rp1/Pp6/1P1p4/8/3Q2P1/2P1PKB1/q7 b - - 1 22

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