Chess Puzzle #5MBHm — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; queen c3; bishop g7; pawns a2/b2/e4/f2/f3. Black: king g6; queen d1; rook d8; pawns c6/f7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h4 — pawn h5→h4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf6+ — queen c3→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g6→h7).
3. Best move: Qh6+ — queen f6→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
4. Best move: Qh8# — queen h6→h8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qh8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/5pB1/2p3k1/7p/4P3/2Q1KP2/PP3P2/3q4 b - - 2 34

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