Chess Puzzle #htQeM — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h4; queen f6; bishop g3; pawns d4/e6/f4. Black: king f8; queens a5/e4; knight e7; pawns c4/d5/f5. Black is ahead by 9 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke8 — king f8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh8+ — queen f6→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ng8 (knight e7→g8).
3. Best move: Qxg8+ — queen h8→g8, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king e8→e7).
4. Best move: Qf7+ — queen g8→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e7→d6).
5. Best move: Qd7# — queen f7→d7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, exposed king, mate, mate in 4, very long. The combination ends with Qd7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/4n3/4PQ2/q2p1p2/2pPqP1K/6B1/8/8 b - - 3 57

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