Chess Puzzle #8PDEA — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rooks b3/c7; pawns c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a2; rooks b8/d8; pawns a6/b6/e5/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rdc8 — rook d8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc4+ — queen e4→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c7→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook b8→c8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxc8# — queen c4→c8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r1r2k1/2R3pp/pp3p2/4p3/4Q3/1R5P/q1P2PP1/6K1 b - - 1 24

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