Chess Puzzle #2o8iT — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h6; rooks a1/e3; pawns a2/c2/c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knight d7; pawns a7/b7/c6/e6/f6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf7 — king g8→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh7+ — queen h6→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king f7→e8).
3. Best move: Rxe6+ — rook e3→e6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kd8 (king e8→d8).
4. Best move: Qe7# — queen h7→e7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Qe7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/ppqn4/2p1pp1Q/8/3P4/2P1R3/P1P2PPP/R5K1 b - - 0 18

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