Chess Puzzle #3kp42 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a2; queen h4; rook h2; pawns a3/b2/c2/d5/f6. Black: king g8; queen g6; rooks e3/e8; pawns a6/b5/c7/d6/g7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxf6 — pawn g7→f6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h4→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
3. Best move: Rh7+ — rook h2→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Qxh7 (queen g6→h7, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxh7+ — queen h8→h7, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/2p3p1/p2p1Pq1/1p1P4/7Q/P3r3/KPP4R/8 b - - 0 35

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