Chess Puzzle #22lhO — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen b8; rooks c1/f1; pawns a3/b2/c3/e3/g5/h4. Black: king g8; queen b3; rooks d3/d7; pawns a7/b6/c6/e4/e6/f7/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh7 — king g8→h7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf8 — queen b8→f8. Opponent replies f5 (pawn f7→f5).
3. Best move: Qh6+ — queen f8→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
4. Best move: Qxg6+ — queen h6→g6, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, long. The key move Qxg6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1Q4k1/p2r1p2/1pp1p1p1/6Pp/4p2P/PqPrP3/1P6/1KR2R2 b - - 8 38

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