Chess Puzzle #1X7G0 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen e5; bishop g2; pawns d4/e2/f5/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen b2; rook c1; bishop b5; pawns a6/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc2 — rook c1→c2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen e5→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c2→c8).
3. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen b8→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Be8 (bishop b5→e8).
4. Best move: Qxe8# — queen c8→e8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5ppp/p3p3/1b1pQP2/3P4/6P1/1q2PKBP/2r5 b - - 1 25

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