Chess Puzzle #354Vs — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen e2; rook f1; bishop h6; pawns a2/c3/f5/f6. Black: king g8; queen c1; rooks a8/f7; knight b8; pawns a7/b6/c6/d5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxh6 — queen c1→h6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e2→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
3. Best move: f7+ — pawn f6→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
4. Best move: Qxf8# — queen e8→f8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, deflection, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: rn4k1/p4rpp/1pp2P1B/3p1P2/8/2P5/P3QK2/2q2R2 b - - 1 24

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