Chess Puzzle #Ljam0 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f5; queen c2; rook e8; knight g5; pawns a4/a6/b5/d3. Black: king a7; queens a1/g1; bishop b6; pawns c7/d6/f4/f7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg7 — queen a1→g7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook e8→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa8 (king a7→a8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qc6+ — queen c2→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Ka7 (king a8→a7).
4. Best move: Qb7# — queen c6→b7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

attraction, endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3, sacrifice. The combination ends with Qb7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 4R3/k1p2p2/Pb1p4/1P3KN1/P4p2/3P4/2Q5/q5q1 b - - 3 40

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