Chess Puzzle #2enOa — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rook f1; bishop h3; pawns a2/b2/c2/c4/e4/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen g7; rook a8; bishop d7; knight c6; pawns a7/b6/c5/d4/e6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qh7 — queen g7→h7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh7+ — queen h5→h7, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king h8→h7, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rf7+ — rook f1→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king h7→g6).
4. Best move: Rxd7 — rook f7→d7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, exposed king, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Qxh7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r6k/p2b2q1/1pn1p3/2p4Q/2PpP3/6PB/PPP4P/5RK1 b - - 4 24

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