Chess Puzzle #109YH — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f2; knight b8; pawns a4/c5/e4. Black: king f8; queen d1; pawns d6/e5/f3/f7/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxc5 — pawn d6→c5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc5+ — queen f2→c5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king f8→g7).
3. Best move: Qg1+ — queen c5→g1, gives check. Opponent replies Qxg1+ (queen d1→g1, captures queen, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxg1 — king h2→g1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Qxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1N3k2/5p2/3p4/2P1p2p/P3P3/5p2/5Q1K/3q4 b - - 1 42

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