Chess Puzzle #2DgNI — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; knight c3; pawns g4/h2. Black: king a1; queen e7; rooks b2/h8; knight c1; pawns g6/h7. Black is ahead by 10 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Na2 — knight c1→a2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd1+ — queen a4→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Nc1 (knight a2→c1).
3. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen d1→c1, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Rb1 (rook b2→b1).
4. Best move: Qxb1# — queen c1→b1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxb1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7r/4q2p/6p1/8/Q5P1/2N5/1r5P/k1n3K1 b - - 5 38

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