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

Position

White: king f1; queen d5; rook c7; bishops b5/d6; pawns a2/c2/e3/g2. Black: king h8; queen h2; rook d8; bishops e5/f5; pawns a5/e4. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd6 — rook d8→d6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen d5→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Bc8 (bishop f5→c8).
3. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen a8→c8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d6→d8).
4. Best move: Qxd8# — queen c8→d8, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

exposed king, long, mate, mate in 3, middlegame. The combination ends with Qxd8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/2R5/3B4/pB1Qbb2/4p3/4P3/P1P3Pq/5K2 b - - 8 44

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