Chess Puzzle #IaaAs — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen a6; rooks b2/c1; knight c5; pawns c6/d4/h5. Black: king b8; queen g4; rooks c7/g8; bishop d6; pawns a7/d5/f3/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ka8 — king b8→a8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb7+ — queen a6→b7, gives check. Opponent replies Rxb7 (rook c7→b7, captures queen).
3. Best move: cxb7+ — pawn c6→b7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king a8→b8).
4. Best move: Na6# — knight c5→a6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Na6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k4r1/p1r4p/Q1Pb4/2Np3P/3P2q1/5p2/1R6/2R2K2 b - - 1 39

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