Chess Puzzle #1JnVc — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen a8; rook h1; bishops e3/f1; pawns a2/b2/c2/f4/f5/h4. Black: king g8; queen a5; rook d8; bishop f6; pawns a7/c6/e5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc6 — queen a8→c6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Bc1 (bishop e3→c1).
3. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook d1→c1, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc1 (king b1→c1, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qe1# — queen a5→e1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice. The combination ends with Qe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: Q2r2k1/p4ppp/2p2b2/q3pP2/5P1P/4B3/PPP5/1K3B1R w - - 1 22

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