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

Position

White: king g1; queen a7; rook d2; bishop e3; pawns a3/c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c3; rook e8; bishop e6; pawns b6/c5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bf5 — bishop e6→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe7 — queen a7→e7. Opponent replies Qa1+ (queen c3→a1, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh2 — king g1→h2. Opponent replies h6 (pawn h7→h6).
4. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen e7→e8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Qxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/Q4ppp/1p2b3/2p5/8/P1q1B2P/2PR1PP1/6K1 b - - 0 23

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