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

Position

White: king g1; queen f7; rooks d1/f1; pawns a3/b4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen b5; rooks c8/d8; pawns a7/b6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king g8→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook c8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook d8→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: 2rr2k1/p4Qpp/1p6/1q6/1P6/P5P1/7P/3R1RK1 b - - 0 25

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