Chess Puzzle #KZMg5 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f4; queen b7; pawns a5/b4/d6/f3. Black: king d7; rook g3; bishop c4; pawns a6/c6/c7/h2. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h1=Q — pawn h2→h1, promotes to queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc7+ — queen b7→c7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king d7→e6).
3. Best move: Qe7+ — queen c7→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kd5 (king e6→d5).
4. Best move: Qe5# — queen e7→e5, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, master, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qe5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/1Qpk4/p1pP4/P7/1Pb2K2/5Pr1/7p/8 b - - 1 41

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