Chess Puzzle #bizfJ — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; queen e2; rooks d1/e1; bishops d2/d3; knight f3; pawns a3/c2/d4/f2/g3/h6. Black: king g8; queen a4; rook b8; bishops a6/e7; knight d5; pawns a7/c7/d6/e6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ka2 — king b2→a2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bc4+ — bishop a6→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc4 (bishop d3→c4, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxc2+ — queen a4→c2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ka1 (king a2→a1).
4. Best move: Qb2# — queen c2→b2, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

collinear, deflection, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame, sacrifice. The combination ends with Qb2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/p1p1b2p/b2pp1pP/3n4/q2P4/P2B1NP1/1KPBQP2/3RR3 w - - 1 23

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