Chess Puzzle #Gr1ge — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen a8; rook h1; pawns a2/b2/d5/g2/h2. Black: king d7; queen c4; rook e2; pawns b7/c7/d6/g5/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb7 — queen a8→b7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe4+ — queen c4→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Ka1 (king b1→a1).
3. Best move: Re1+ — rook e2→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook h1→e1, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxe1# — queen e4→e1, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: Q7/1ppk3p/3p4/3P2p1/2q5/8/PP2r1PP/1K5R w - - 8 36

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