Chess Puzzle #kMN0a — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen e4; rooks d2/f7; pawns a3/c2/c5/g2. Black: king c8; queen a1; rooks g3/g8; pawns a7/b7/c7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa3 — queen a1→a3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf5+ — queen e4→f5, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
3. Best move: Rf8+ — rook f7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook g8→f8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxf8# — queen f5→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k3r1/ppp2R2/8/2P5/4Q3/P5r1/2PR1KP1/q7 b - - 0 31

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