Chess Puzzle #1G1hU — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks a1/f6; knight g4; pawns b2/b3/c3/d4/g2/h4. Black: king h7; queen d6; rooks a8/f8; bishops e4/g7; pawns a6/b7/c6/d5/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf6 — bishop g7→f6, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen d2→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
3. Best move: Nxf6+ — knight g4→f6, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf6 (queen d6→f6, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qxf6 — queen h6→f6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, intermezzo, long, middlegame. The key move Qxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4r2/1p3pbk/p1pq1R1p/3p4/3Pb1NP/1PP5/1P1Q2P1/R5K1 b - - 8 28

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