Chess Puzzle #45vzS — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks d1/e5; pawns b2/c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a2; rooks b8/e8; pawns a6/b5/c7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Red8 — rook e8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook b8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Re8+ — rook e5→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxe8# — queen e2→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r2r1k1/2p2ppp/p7/1p2R3/8/2P4P/qP2QPP1/3R2K1 b - - 3 25

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