Chess Puzzle #C4PSn — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f8; rooks a1/e1; bishop c3; pawns a3/d5/e7/f2/h2. Black: king h7; queen c4; rooks e8/g4; pawns a5/b7/c5/c7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe8 — queen f8→e8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxd5+ — queen c4→d5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Re4 (rook e1→e4).
3. Best move: Qxe4+ — queen d5→e4, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies f3 (pawn f2→f3).
4. Best move: Qxf3# — queen e4→f3, captures pawn, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxf3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4rQ2/1pp1P1pk/7p/p1pP4/2q3r1/P1B5/5P1P/R3R2K w - - 7 37

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