Chess Puzzle #2Ew1a — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen e2; rook d7; pawns a2/f3/g3/h4. Black: king g7; queen c3; rook a3; pawns a7/b6/c4/e6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf8 — king g7→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe4 — queen e2→e4. Opponent replies Qxf3+ (queen c3→f3, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxf3+ — queen e4→f3, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf3 (rook a3→f3, captures queen).
4. Best move: Kxf3 — king g2→f3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move Qxf3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/p2R2kp/1p2p1p1/8/2p4P/r1q2PP1/P3Q1K1/8 b - - 1 45

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