Chess Puzzle #42rbZ — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rook e1; pawns b2/c3/c5/h3. Black: king g8; queen b3; rook d8; pawns a6/b7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb2 — queen b3→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe6+ — queen e4→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxe8# — rook e1→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/1p4pp/p7/2P5/4Q3/1qP4P/1P6/4R1K1 b - - 0 26

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