Chess Puzzle #5HFsy — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen c7; rook f1; pawns g2/h5. Black: king g8; rooks d2/d8; bishop c6; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxg2 — bishop c6→g2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen c7→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook d8→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: 3r2k1/ppQ2ppp/2b1p3/7P/8/8/3r2PK/5R2 b - - 3 27

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