Chess Puzzle #KVdj7 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h7; rook a1; bishops c1/d3; knights b1/d6; pawns a3/b2/c2/e5/g2/h2. Black: king e7; queen f8; rook a8; bishops c8/h4; knights a6/d5; pawns a7/b6/c5/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxa6 — bishop d3→a6, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf2+ — queen f8→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qe1+ — queen f2→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Bf1 (bishop a6→f1).
4. Best move: Qxf1# — queen e1→f1, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

fork, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Qxf1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r1b2q2/p3k1pQ/np1N3p/2pnP3/7b/P2B4/1PP3PP/RNB3K1 w - - 1 20

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