Chess Puzzle #CJfYs — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen a6; rook e1; knight a3; pawns b2/c2/c6/f2/h2. Black: king e8; queen h3; rook h8; bishop f8; pawns c7/d6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be7 — bishop f8→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen a6→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Bd8 (bishop e7→d8).
3. Best move: Qd7+ — queen c8→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king e8→f8).
4. Best move: Qxd8# — queen d7→d8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4kb1r/2p2ppp/Q1Ppp3/8/8/N6q/1PP2P1P/2K1R3 b k - 1 17

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