Chess Puzzle #3i4OX — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen c2; rooks c1/f1; pawns a2/b3/d3/e4/f2/g3. Black: king c8; queen d7; rook h2; knight e5; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/g4. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxh2 — king g2→h2, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh7+ — queen d7→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h2→g1).
3. Best move: Nf3+ — knight e5→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king g1→g2).
4. Best move: Qh3# — queen h7→h3, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qh3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/pppq4/3p4/4n3/4P1p1/1P1P2P1/P1Q2PKr/2R2R2 w - - 3 26

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