Chess Puzzle #Ts3KX — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks a1/f1; bishop g3; knight h6; pawns a4/b2/c3/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h7; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops b7/e7; knight e4; pawns a6/b5/c4/d5/e6/g5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe8 — queen d8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf7+ — knight h6→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h7→g7).
3. Best move: Qh6+ — queen h5→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf7 (king g7→f7, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qh7+ — queen h6→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king f7→f6).
5. Best move: Be5# — bishop g3→e5, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

discovered attack, discovered check, exposed king, mate, mate in 4, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The combination ends with Be5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r2q1r2/1b2b2k/p3p2N/1p1p2pQ/P1pPn3/2P1P1B1/1P3PPP/R4RK1 b - - 0 20

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