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

Position

White: king h1; queen c7; rooks d1/f1; pawns a2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e2; rooks d4/d8; pawns a7/d2/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook d8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen c7→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/p1Q2ppp/8/8/3r4/8/P2pq1PP/3R1R1K b - - 2 28

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