Chess Puzzle #3npod — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen g3; rook h3; bishop g5; pawns c3/d4/e5/g2. Black: king g8; queen e6; rooks a8/f7; pawns a2/b7/c4/d5/f5/g7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g6 — pawn g7→g6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh4 — queen g3→h4. Opponent replies Rg7 (rook f7→g7).
3. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h4→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
4. Best move: Qxa8 — queen h8→a8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long, quiet move, skewer. The key move is Qh4.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1p3rp1/4q3/3pPpB1/2pP4/2P3QR/p5PK/8 b - - 1 38

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