Chess Puzzle #2Erve — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a4; queen e4; bishop d3; pawns a2/b2/c3/f4/h3. Black: king g8; queen c1; rook b6; pawns a7/c7/d7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb8 — rook b6→b8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh7+ — queen e4→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h7→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
4. Best move: Qxb8 — queen h8→b8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, skewer. The key move Qxh7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p1pp1ppp/1r6/8/K3QP2/2PB3P/PP6/2q5 b - - 3 28

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