Chess Puzzle #1zb9Z — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f3; bishop f2; pawns a2/b2/c3/f4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f1; bishop a6; pawns b6/c7/d6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 10 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf6 — queen d8→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa8+ — queen f3→a8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bc8 (bishop a6→c8).
3. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen a8→c8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen f6→d8).
4. Best move: Qxd8# — queen c8→d8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, fork, hanging piece, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2q2k1/2p2ppp/bp1p4/8/5P2/2P2Q1P/PP3BPK/5r2 b - - 1 24

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