Chess Puzzle #16eQd — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/e1; bishop f1; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen d6; rook h8; bishop f3; knights f4/f6; pawns a4/c7/e6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf3 — queen d1→f3, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ne2+ — knight f4→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Bxe2 (bishop f1→e2, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxh2+ — queen d6→h2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
4. Best move: Qh1# — queen h2→h1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

discovered attack, kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Qh1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/2p5/3qpn2/8/p2P1n2/2P2b2/PP3PPP/R2QRBK1 w - - 0 23

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