Chess Puzzle #18v4g — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f7; rook c4; bishop b6; knight f3; pawns a4/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d3; queen a3; pawns a5/b7/d6/e5/g5/h6. White is ahead by 10 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc7 — rook c4→c7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qa1+ — queen a3→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Rc1 (rook c7→c1).
3. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen a1→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Ne1+ (knight f3→e1, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxe1# — queen c1→e1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p3Q2/1B1p3p/p2Pp1p1/P1R5/q2k1N2/5PPP/6K1 w - - 11 37

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