Chess Puzzle #1X6OK — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f1; rooks a6/b3; pawns a5/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king a8; queen d7; rooks d5/d8; pawns b7/d6/e7/f5/f7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxa6 — pawn b7→a6, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa6+ — queen f1→a6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qa7 (queen d7→a7).
3. Best move: Qc6+ — queen a6→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Qb7 (queen a7→b7).
4. Best move: Qxb7# — queen c6→b7, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, exposed king, fork, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxb7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: k2r4/1p1qpp1p/R2p4/P2r1p2/8/1R6/1PP2PPP/5QK1 b - - 0 26

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