Chess Puzzle #3MHEB — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen a6; rooks d1/f1; pawns a2/c2/c3/f4/g2/h2. Black: king c7; queen e3; rooks a8/h8; pawns a7/b6/c6/d6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd3 — queen a6→d3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxh2+ — rook h8→h2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh2 (king h1→h2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rh8+ — rook a8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Qh7+ (queen d3→h7, gives check).
4. Best move: Rxh7# — rook h8→h7, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxh7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r6r/p1k5/Qppp4/8/5P2/2P1q3/P1P3PP/3R1R1K w - - 3 25

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