Chess Puzzle #EJAAf — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f2; queen f8; pawns a3/b4/g3/h2. Black: king f6; queen d5; pawns d3/e5/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg5 — king f6→g5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: h4+ — pawn h2→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg4 (king g5→g4).
3. Best move: Qc8+ — queen f8→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Qe6 (queen d5→e6).
4. Best move: Qxe6# — queen c8→e6, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, master, mate, mate in 3, queen endgame. The combination ends with Qxe6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5Q2/8/5kp1/3qp2p/1P6/P2p2P1/5K1P/8 b - - 9 42

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