Chess Puzzle #5VpBz — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen h7; rook e2; bishop h4; pawns a2/c4/d5/h3. Black: king f8; queen f4; rook b8; bishop d4; pawns a7/c5/d6/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb2 — rook b8→b2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Be7+ — bishop h4→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king f8→e8).
3. Best move: Qg8+ — queen h7→g8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e8→d7).
4. Best move: Qd8# — queen g8→d8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r3k2/p4p1Q/3p2p1/2pP4/2Pb1q1B/7P/P3R1K1/8 b - - 0 36

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