Chess Puzzle #2JbQT — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; queen f2; rooks c7/g1; pawns b4/d4/e4. Black: king h8; queen h3; rook a3; pawns b5/d6/f4/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc2 — rook c7→c2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qd3+ — queen h3→d3, gives check. Opponent replies Kc1 (king d2→c1).
3. Best move: Ra1+ — rook a3→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Kb2 (king c1→b2).
4. Best move: Qa3# — queen d3→a3, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qa3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 7k/2R4p/3p4/1p6/1P1PPp2/r6q/3K1Q2/6R1 w - - 4 43

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