Chess Puzzle #2uWdd — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d6; rook c5; pawns a2/c6/g2/h5. Black: king g8; queen b6; rook c7; pawns a4/b4/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b3 — pawn b4→b3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d6→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: h6+ — pawn h5→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh6 (king g7→h6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Qf8# — queen d8→f8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2r2p1p/1qPQp1p1/2R4P/pp6/8/P5P1/7K b - - 0 36

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