Chess Puzzle #4YlH9 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen b7; rooks a1/f1; pawns a4/b4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen g3; rooks c2/f8; pawns a6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb8 — rook f8→b8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen b7→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook b8→f8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/1Q3ppp/p3p3/8/PP6/6qP/2r3P1/R4R1K b - - 0 19

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