Chess Puzzle #4ShF2 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rook d6; pawns a4/b2/f4/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen e8; rook a7; knight g6; pawns b7/c6/f6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa4 — rook a7→a4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf6+ — queen c3→f6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
3. Best move: Rd8 — rook d6→d8. Opponent replies Qxd8 (queen e8→d8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen f6→d8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, pin. The key move Qxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4q2k/rp5p/2pR1pn1/8/P4P2/2Q5/1P4PP/6K1 b - - 0 26

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