Chess Puzzle #3H3DQ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rook f1; pawns a2/c2/c4/e4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e5; rook d8; pawns a6/b7/d6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook d8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen d5→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook e8→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: 3r2k1/1p3ppp/p2p4/3Qq3/2P1P3/8/P1P3PP/5RK1 b - - 0 25

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