Chess Puzzle #2ecm6 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h7; rook f1; bishops c3/d3; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen d8; rooks b8/e6; bishops c8/e5; pawns a7/b6/c7/d6/f7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf6 — rook e6→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h7→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
3. Best move: Qxf6+ — queen h8→f6, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxf6 (bishop e5→f6, captures queen).
4. Best move: Bxf6+ — bishop c3→f6, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, X-ray attack. The key move Qxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1rbq1k2/p1p2p1Q/1p1pr3/4b3/8/2BB4/PPP3PP/5RK1 b - - 3 29

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