Chess Puzzle #4f9qZ — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen f4; rook g5; bishop f5; pawns a2/b2/c4/d3. Black: king g8; queen h3; rooks d7/e1; pawns a5/b6/c5/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qh1 — queen h3→h1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen f4→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d7→d8).
3. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen b8→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e1→e8).
4. Best move: Qxe8# — queen d8→e8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxe8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/3r1pp1/1p6/p1p2BR1/2P2Q2/3P3q/PP3K2/4r3 b - - 3 34

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