Chess Puzzle #4JXlg — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; queen f6; rooks a1/b4; pawns a3/f3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a6; rooks c2/d8; pawns d6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe2 — queen a6→e2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen f6→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Rg1 — rook a1→g1. Opponent replies Qe5+ (queen e2→e5, gives check).
4. Best move: f4 — pawn f3→f4. Opponent replies Qe3+ (queen e5→e3, gives check).
5. Best move: Kh2 — king g3→h2.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, hanging piece, quiet move, very long. The key move Qxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/5p1p/q2p1Qp1/8/1R6/P4PKP/2r3P1/R7 b - - 2 29

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