Chess Puzzle #3rKTb — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f7; rook e8; pawns a2/f2/g2. Black: king h8; queen b6; rook g8; pawns a5/b7/d4/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd6+ — queen b6→d6, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kg1 — king h2→g1. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook g8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen f7→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen d6→f8).
4. Best move: Qxf8# — queen e8→f8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxf8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4R1rk/1p3Qpp/1q6/p4p2/3p4/8/P4PPK/8 b - - 7 43

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