Chess Puzzle #0rEZa — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; bishop h6; pawns a3/c3/d4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f7; bishop d5; pawns a7/b7/c6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be6 — bishop d5→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen e5→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Bc8 (bishop e6→c8).
3. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen b8→c8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen f7→e8).
4. Best move: Qxe8# — queen c8→e8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pp3q1p/2p3pB/3bQ3/3P4/P1P5/6PP/6K1 b - - 1 25

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