Chess Puzzle #35TN1 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 1107 · Beginner · deflection, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3.

Position

White: king g3; queen b8; knight f5; pawns a3/d4/g4/h3. Black: king h7; queen d3; pawns d5/f6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Kh4 — king g3→h4. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: g5+ — pawn g7→g5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh5 (king h4→h5).
  3. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen d3→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Nh4 (knight f5→h4).
  4. Best move: Qxh4# — queen h3→h4, captures knight, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxh4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1Q6/6pk/5p1p/3p1N2/3P2P1/P2q2KP/8/8 w - - 8 37

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.