Chess Puzzle #4CqaI — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; queen a8; rook e8; pawns a2/c3/f4/f5/g4/h3. Black: king h7; queen f6; rook c2; pawns a7/c7/d6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc3+ — queen f6→c3, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kh4 — king g3→h4. Opponent replies Qf6+ (queen c3→f6, gives check).
3. Best move: g5 — pawn g4→g5. Opponent replies hxg5+ (pawn h6→g5, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Kg4 — king h4→g4. Opponent replies g6 (pawn g7→g6).
5. Best move: fxg6+ — pawn f5→g6, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, very long. The key move fxg6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: Q3R3/p1p3pk/3p1q1p/5P2/5PP1/2P3KP/P1r5/8 b - - 1 30

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