Chess Puzzle #GvWks — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; rooks d1/d2; bishop b3; pawns a2/f2/h2. Black: king h8; queen b6; rooks c3/f8; pawns a7/b7/g6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 8 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf2 — rook f8→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d2→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd8 (queen b6→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f2→f8).
4. Best move: Rxf8# — rook d8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Rxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/pp4pp/1q4p1/8/8/1Br5/P2R1P1P/1K1R4 b - - 3 26

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