Chess Puzzle #1lT2d — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen h6; rook f3; knight g3; pawns e5/f4/g2. Black: king f8; queen d4; rook b8; bishop e6; pawns b2/d5/f5/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke8 — king f8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h6→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king e8→e7).
3. Best move: Qxb8 — queen h8→b8, captures rook. Opponent replies b1=Q (pawn b2→b1, promotes to queen).
4. Best move: Qxb1 — queen b8→b1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, skewer. The key move is Qh8+.

Position data

FEN: 1r3k2/5p2/4b1pQ/3pPp2/3q1P2/5RN1/1p4PK/8 b - - 1 34

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