Chess Puzzle #5Cujz — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen b7; rook f7; knight c3; pawns c2/d3/e4/f2. Black: king b4; queen h8; rook a8; pawns b5/c6/e5. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc6 — queen b7→c6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh1+ — queen h8→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Nd1 (knight c3→d1).
3. Best move: Qxd1+ — queen h1→d1, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kb2 (king b1→b2).
4. Best move: Qa1# — queen d1→a1, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qa1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r6q/1Q3R2/2p5/1p2p3/1k2P3/2NP4/2P2P2/1K6 w - - 0 33

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