Chess Puzzle #1aUc7 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen b8; rooks b1/g8; pawns f3/g2/h3. Black: king h6; queen h4; rook c2; bishop e6; pawns a6/b5/f6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf2 — queen h4→f2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf4+ — queen b8→f4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh5 (king h6→h5).
3. Best move: Rg1 — rook b1→g1. Opponent replies Qg3 (queen f2→g3).
4. Best move: Qxg3 — queen f4→g3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, quiet move. The key move is Qf4+.

Position data

FEN: 1Q4R1/5p1p/p3bppk/1p6/7q/5P1P/2r3P1/1R5K b - - 1 33

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