Chess Puzzle #1GMb3 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen f6; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e4; bishops c6/d4; pawns a7/b7/d5/f7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxd4 — pawn c3→d4, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bb5+ — bishop c6→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king f1→g1).
3. Best move: Qb1+ — queen e4→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Ne1 (knight f3→e1).
4. Best move: Qxe1# — queen b1→e1, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pp3p2/2b2Q2/3p4/3bq3/2P2N2/PP3PPP/5K2 w - - 0 26

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