Chess Puzzle #J3ZpG — Advanced, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king e7; queen a5; pawns a4/c4. Black: king c7; queen b3; pawns b7/c6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb6 — queen b3→b6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe5+ — queen a5→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Kc8 (king c7→c8).
3. Best move: Qh8+ — queen e5→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Qd8+ (queen b6→d8, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxd8# — queen h8→d8, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/1pk1K3/2p5/Q7/P1P5/1q6/8/8 b - - 1 53

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