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

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks d1/e1; bishop f6; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b7; rooks c8/d8; bishop e7; pawns a6/b5/c6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf6 — bishop e7→f6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook c8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e2→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, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2rr2k1/1q2bppp/p1p2B2/1p6/8/2N4P/PPP1QPP1/3RR1K1 b - - 0 20

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