Chess Puzzle #3AIeZ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e7; rooks c1/c7; pawns a3/b4/f2/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks a8/f5; bishop g6; pawns a7/d5/e6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf7 — rook f5→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook a8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
4. Best move: Rxf8# — rook c8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/p1R1Q1pp/4p1b1/3pqr2/1P5P/P7/5PP1/2R3K1 b - - 1 26

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