Chess Puzzle #229oa — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; queen e3; rook h1; pawns c2/e5/f2/f3. Black: king g7; queen e6; rook a8; knight f4; pawns b5/g5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh8 — rook a8→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa7+ — queen e3→a7, gives check. Opponent replies Qf7 (queen e6→f7).
3. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen a7→f7, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf7 (king g7→f7, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxh8 — rook h1→h8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r7/6k1/4q3/1p2P1p1/5n2/4QPK1/2P2P2/7R b - - 1 35

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