Chess Puzzle #6ag8R — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rooks b1/b5; pawns d6/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c3; rooks a5/a8; pawns c5/d7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra1 — rook a5→a1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa8+ — queen d5→a8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxa8 (rook a1→a8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b5→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxb8 (rook a8→b8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Rxb8# — rook b1→b8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Rxb8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/3p1ppp/3P4/rRpQP3/8/2q5/5PPP/1R4K1 b - - 2 29

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