Chess Puzzle #4t69W — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f6; rook c1; bishop a3; pawns a2/b3/d4/f2/g2. Black: king e8; queen b8; rook h7; bishop h2; pawns a6/d5/e6/f7/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd6 — bishop h2→d6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxd6 — bishop a3→d6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxd6 (queen b8→d6, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen d6→d8).
4. Best move: Rxd8# — rook c8→d8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1q2k3/5p1r/p3pQ1p/3p2p1/3P4/BP6/P4PPb/2R4K b - - 3 25

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