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

Position

White: king h1; queen d7; rook f1; bishop g3; pawns a2/c3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e4; rook e8; bishop b6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe2 — queen e4→e2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen d7→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, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/pppQ1ppp/1b1p4/8/4q3/2P3B1/P5PP/5R1K b - - 4 27

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