Chess Puzzle #4l6XN — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f3; rooks a1/f1; pawns b3/e5/h2. Black: king g8; queen d4; rook e8; bishop h6; pawns b5/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook e8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen f3→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook f8→f7, captures queen).
3. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a1→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
4. Best move: Rfxf8# — rook f1→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rfxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/5ppp/4p2b/1p1pP3/3q4/1P3Q2/7P/R4R1K b - - 1 29

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