Chess Puzzle #ZSOW3 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b4; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishop f1; knights a3/a8; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king d7; queen e4; rook h8; bishops c8/h6; knight d4; pawns a5/d6/e5/f7/h7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc3 — king b4→c3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ne2+ — knight d4→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Bxe2 (bishop f1→e2, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qb4+ — queen e4→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Kd3 (king c3→d3).
4. Best move: Qd4# — queen b4→d4, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

clearance, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Qd4# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: N1b4r/3k1p1p/3p3b/p3p3/1K1nq3/N7/PPP3PP/R2Q1B1R w - - 0 19

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