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

Position

White: king h2; queen d4; rook d7; pawns b2/f2/g2/h6. Black: king g8; queen e6; rook e8; pawns a6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe5+ — queen e6→e5, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe5 — queen d4→e5, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxe5 (rook e8→e5, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d7→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e5→e8).
4. Best move: Rxe8# — rook d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/3R1p1p/p3q1pP/8/3Q4/8/1P3PPK/8 b - - 0 33

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