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

Position

White: king h2; queen e5; pawns a4/d5/g2/h3. Black: king e3; queen f2; pawns a5/e4/f5/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf4+ — queen f2→f4, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf4+ — queen e5→f4, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf4 (king e3→f4, captures queen).
3. Best move: d6 — pawn d5→d6. Opponent replies Ke5 (king f4→e5).
4. Best move: d7 — pawn d6→d7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long, queen endgame. The key move Qxf4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/6p1/p2PQp1p/P3p3/4k2P/5qPK/8 b - - 0 44

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