Chess Puzzle #1xLB7 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rook f8; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/e5/g4/h2. Black: king h7; queen g7; rook a7; bishop c8; pawns a5/b6/c6/e6/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ba6 — bishop c8→a6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe4+ — queen f3→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Qg6 (queen g7→g6).
3. Best move: Rh8+ — rook f8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh8 (king h7→h8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxg6 — queen e4→g6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, long. The key move is Qe4+.

Position data

FEN: 2b2R2/r5qk/1pp1p2p/p3P3/3P2P1/2P2Q2/PP5P/6K1 b - - 0 28

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