Chess Puzzle #1ig4G — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f7; knight f4; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g2/h4. Black: king h8; queen d6; rook d8; pawns a7/b6/c7/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook d8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen f7→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf8 (queen d6→f8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Ng6+ — knight f4→g6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
4. Best move: Nxf8 — knight g6→f8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, fork, long, sacrifice. The key move Qxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/p1p2Qp1/1p1q4/8/5N1P/2P5/PP3PPK/8 b - - 8 36

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