Chess Puzzle #281fx — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen g4; rook d1; pawns a2/f5/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen c5; rook e7; pawns a7/c6/d5/e6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exf5 — pawn e6→f5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf5+ — queen g4→f5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
3. Best move: Qc8+ — queen f5→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Re8 (rook e7→e8).
4. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen c8→e8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Qxf5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/p3r1pp/2p1p3/2qp1P2/6Q1/8/P5PP/3R3K b - - 0 30

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