Chess Puzzle #4tOi9 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen a7; bishop a5; pawns b3/c2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen d7; rook g8; bishop b5; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe8 — queen d7→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen a7→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king c8→d7).
3. Best move: Qxb7+ — queen a8→b7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king d7→d6).
4. Best move: Qc7# — queen b7→c7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, dovetail mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qc7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k3r1/Qp1q1p1p/p3p3/Bb1p4/8/1P6/2P3PP/2K5 b - - 3 24

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