Chess Puzzle #JtXU8 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen a6; rooks a1/h1; bishop f1; pawns a2/b2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e4; rook b8; bishop e1; pawns a7/d5/d7/e6/f6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe1 — rook a1→e1, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf4+ — queen e4→f4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king f2→g1).
3. Best move: Qd4+ — queen f4→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Re3 (rook e1→e3).
4. Best move: Qxe3# — queen d4→e3, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxe3# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/p2p3p/Q3pp2/3p4/4q3/8/PP3KPP/R3bB1R w - - 3 21

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