Chess Puzzle #nd6YC — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b3; queen c3; rook g7; bishop c4; pawns a3/b4/c2/e3/f4/h3. Black: king b8; queen h1; rook b1; pawns b6/c7/h7. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ka4 — king b3→a4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc6+ — queen h1→c6, gives check. Opponent replies b5 (pawn b4→b5).
3. Best move: Qa8+ — queen c6→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Qa5 (queen c3→a5).
4. Best move: Qxa5# — queen a8→a5, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

endgame, long, mate, mate in 3. The combination ends with Qxa5# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/2p3Rp/1p6/8/1PB2P2/PKQ1P2P/2P5/1r5q w - - 3 35

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