Chess Puzzle #26QJ5 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d6; rook f1; knight b5; pawns a2/b3/e4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen h4; rook f3; bishop h6; knight b6; pawns a7/e5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf3 — rook f1→f3, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen h4→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook f3→f1).
3. Best move: Be3+ — bishop h6→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
4. Best move: Qxf1# — queen e1→f1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p6p/1n1Q2pb/1N2p3/4P2q/1P3r2/P5PP/5RK1 w - - 0 26

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