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

Position

White: king d1; queen f3; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; pawns a2/b2/c2/d2. Black: king g8; queen c6; rooks a8/e4; bishop h2; pawns a7/c7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rae8 — rook a8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen f3→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, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/p1p2ppp/2q5/8/4r3/5Q2/PPPP3b/R1BK1R2 b - - 1 18

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