Chess Puzzle #F8Cfx — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen b4; rooks e3/g3; pawns b2/c3/e5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a2; rooks d7/f8; pawns a6/b7/c6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd5 — queen a2→d5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxg7+ — rook g3→g7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg7 (king g8→g7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rg3+ — rook e3→g3, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g7→h8).
4. Best move: Qxf8# — queen b4→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, deflection, endgame, kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/1p1r1ppp/p1p1p3/4P3/1Q6/2P1R1RP/qP4PK/8 b - - 1 26

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