Chess Puzzle #0vHLT — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen d6; bishop g3; pawns b6/d5/f2/g7. Black: king d8; queen f1; rooks e7/e8; pawns a6/b7/e5/h3. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd7 — rook e7→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen d6→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king d8→e7).
3. Best move: Bh4+ — bishop g3→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king e7→f7).
4. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen b8→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg7 (king f7→g7, captures pawn).
5. Best move: Qxd7+ — queen e8→d7, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, very long. The key move Qxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3kr3/1p2r1P1/pP1Q4/3Pp3/8/6Bp/5P1K/5q2 b - - 2 44

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