Chess Puzzle #1zx3k — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f7; rook f4; bishop h6; pawns a2/c3/g3/g5. Black: king h8; queens e5/f1; rook a8; bishop c6; pawns a7/b7/g6. Black is ahead by 8 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf1 — rook f4→f1, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe2+ — queen e5→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Rf2 (rook f1→f2).
3. Best move: Qh5+ — queen e2→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h2→g1).
4. Best move: Qh1# — queen h5→h1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, master, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qh1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r6k/pp3Q2/2b3pB/4q1P1/5R2/2P3P1/P6K/5q2 w - - 1 34

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