Chess Puzzle #1pJk1 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen g4; rook g3; bishop d1; pawns a3/b2/c3/f5/g2/h4. Black: king f8; queen e1; rook d8; bishop f7; pawns a7/b7/c4/c6/f6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd1 — queen e1→d1, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qg7+ — queen g4→g7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
3. Best move: Re3+ — rook g3→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e7→d7).
4. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen g7→f7, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r1k2/pp3b1p/2p2p2/5P2/2p3QP/P1P3R1/1P4PK/3Bq3 b - - 2 31

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