Chess Puzzle #1QdoL — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen g6; rook d1; bishop h7; knights d5/f3; pawns a2/b2/c4/d4/g2/g3/h3. Black: king h8; queen e2; rooks a8/e8; bishops b4/c8; knight b8; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/g5/g7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re6 — rook e8→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh5 — queen g6→h5. Opponent replies Rh6 (rook e6→h6).
3. Best move: Qf7 — queen h5→f7. Opponent replies Qxc4+ (queen e2→c4, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Kb1 — king c1→b1.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Qh5.

Position data

FEN: rnb1r2k/ppp3pB/3p2Q1/3N2p1/1bPP4/5NPP/PP2q1P1/2KR4 b - - 3 17

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