Chess Puzzle #263OE — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen c1; rook b1; bishop g5; pawns a2/f3/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen d4; bishop d3; pawns c2/e6/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxb1=Q — pawn c2→b1, captures rook, promotes to queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bh6+ — bishop g5→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king g7→g8).
3. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen d4→d8).
4. Best move: Qxd8# — queen c8→d8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/5pkp/4p1p1/6B1/3q4/3b1P1P/P1p3PK/1RQ5 b - - 0 36

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