Chess Puzzle #4CeHS — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d7; rooks c1/f1; bishop h5; pawns a3/b2/f5/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen b6; rooks a8/g8; bishop d6; pawns a7/b7/d5/e5/f6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg7 — rook g8→g7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook a8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen d7→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen b6→d8).
4. Best move: Qxd8# — queen c8→d8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Qxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r4kr1/pp1Q3p/1q1b1p2/3ppP1B/8/P7/1P4PP/2R2R1K b - - 3 22

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