Chess Puzzle #1UQSg — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen d7; rook b7; pawns a3/c4. Black: king f6; queen f4; rook h8; bishop d6; pawns e4/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e3 — pawn e4→e3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen d7→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg5 (king f6→g5).
3. Best move: Qxg7+ — queen f7→g7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh5 (king g5→h5).
4. Best move: Rb5+ — rook b7→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh4 (king h5→h4).
5. Best move: Qxh8 — queen g7→h8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, equality, exposed king, fork, very long. The key move Qxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 7r/1R1Q1pp1/3b1k1p/8/2P1pq2/P7/4K3/8 b - - 3 42

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