Chess Puzzle #2H7oc — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; queen d7; bishop c4; pawns a2/c2/c3/g4/h2. Black: king f6; queen e3; knight f3; pawns a7/b7/c7/e6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne5 — knight f3→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe6+ — queen d7→e6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg5 (king f6→g5).
3. Best move: Qf5+ — queen e6→f5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh4 (king g5→h4).
4. Best move: Qh5# — queen f5→h5, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, master, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qh5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/pppQ2p1/4pk1p/8/2B3P1/2P1qn2/PKP4P/8 b - - 8 32

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