Chess Puzzle #K9bLa — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c1; rook c8; pawns a2/f6/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen f8; rook e5; pawns a5/b5/e6/f7/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb4 — queen f8→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook c8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh8 (king h7→h8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen c1→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
4. Best move: Qg7# — queen h6→g7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, deflection, endgame, long, master, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Qg7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2R2q2/5p1k/4pPpp/pp2r3/8/7P/P5P1/2Q4K b - - 1 36

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