Chess Puzzle #53LnS — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f6; rooks e1/e3; pawns a3/f4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen h5; rooks d7/d8; pawns a5/b6/f7/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf5 — queen h5→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e3→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
4. Best move: Qh8# — queen f6→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/3r1p2/1p3Qpp/p6q/5P2/P3R2P/6PK/4R3 b - - 3 30

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