Chess Puzzle #T7U1p — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d6; pawns b6/c3/e5/g2. Black: king d7; queen g3; rook e7; pawns c4/e6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke8 — king d7→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen d6→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e8→d7).
3. Best move: Qc7+ — queen b8→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king d7→e8).
4. Best move: Qc8# — queen c7→c8, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 8/3krp2/1P1Qp2p/4P3/2p5/2P3q1/6P1/6K1 b - - 1 53

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