Chess Puzzle #4CnF7 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen c3; rook h1; knight b3; pawns a2/b2/f2/f3/h3. Black: king g8; queen b6; rook f4; bishop g7; pawns b5/e5/f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf2 — queen b6→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c3→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop g7→f8).
3. Best move: Qe6+ — queen c8→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
4. Best move: Qxe5+ — queen e6→e5, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move Qxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/6bp/1q4p1/1p2pp2/5r2/1NQ2P1P/PP3P2/1K5R b - - 0 28

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