Chess Puzzle #3NXb2 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen c7; rook h1; pawns a3/c2/d4. Black: king g7; queen g8; rook a8; bishop f7; pawns a5/b6/g5/g6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd8 — queen g8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe5+ — queen c7→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Qf6 (queen d8→f6).
3. Best move: Rh7+ — rook h1→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh7 (king g7→h7, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxf6 — queen e5→f6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, long. The key move is Qe5+.

Position data

FEN: r5q1/2Q2bk1/1p4p1/p5p1/3P4/P7/2P5/2K4R b - - 0 34

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