Chess Puzzle #2aB4I — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishop h6; knight f5; pawns b2/b4/c2/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f7; bishops a7/e6; pawns a6/b7/c7/d6/e5/f6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d5 — pawn d6→d5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qg4+ — queen d1→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Bg7+ — bishop h6→g7, gives check. Opponent replies Rxg7 (rook f7→g7, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Qxg7# — queen g4→g7, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Qxg7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2q2k1/bpp2r1p/p2pbp1B/4pN2/1P2P3/8/1PP2PPP/R2Q1RK1 b - - 3 16

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