Chess Puzzle #SsAb2 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen b6; rook h3; pawns a2/b3/e5. Black: king d8; queen g4; rook c8; bishop d7; pawns a6/b5/c6/e6/f5/f7/g5. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc7 — rook c8→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h3→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Be8 (bishop d7→e8).
3. Best move: Qb8+ — queen b6→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c7→c8).
4. Best move: Qd6# — queen b8→d6, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, epaulette mate, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qd6# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2rk4/3b1p2/pQp1p3/1p2Ppp1/6q1/1P5R/P6K/8 b - - 7 37

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