Chess Puzzle #50ibS — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen f7; rooks c1/d1; pawns a2/b4/g2/h2. Black: king b8; queen b2; rooks c8/d2; pawns a7/b7/c7/e5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxg2 — rook d2→g2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc7+ — queen f7→c7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc7 (rook c8→c7, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c7→c8).
4. Best move: Rcxc8# — rook c1→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rcxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1kr5/ppp2Q2/7p/4p3/1P6/8/Pq1r2PP/2RR1K2 b - - 3 28

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