Chess Puzzle #1bI3g — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g4; queen c4; rook h7; pawns a3/c5/d6/e4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e3; rook e8; knight f7; pawns a5/c6/f4/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxh7 — king g8→h7, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen c4→f7, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king h7→h6).
3. Best move: Qxe8 — queen f7→e8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qe2+ (queen e3→e2, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxf4 — king g4→f4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qf2+ (queen e2→f2, gives check).
5. Best move: Ke5 — king f4→e5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, hanging piece, master, very long. The key move Qxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/5n1R/2pP2p1/p1P5/2Q1PpK1/P3q3/6PP/8 b - - 7 38

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