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

Position

White: king h1; queen h6; rook f2; bishop c2; knight g6; pawns a2/b2/c3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c5; rook a8; bishop c6; pawns a7/b6/d5/e6. White is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf2 — queen c5→f2, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h6→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
3. Best move: Qh7+ — queen h8→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king f7→f6).
4. Best move: Qe7# — queen h7→e7, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qe7# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/p7/1pb1p1NQ/2qp4/8/2P5/PPB2RPP/7K b - - 0 27

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