Chess Puzzle #4zba8 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen f7; rooks a1/g3; pawns a2/b2/d5. Black: king h8; queen d2; rook b8; bishop d4; pawns a7/b6/c5/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh3 — king g2→h3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh6+ — queen d2→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king h3→g2).
3. Best move: Rf8 — rook b8→f8. Opponent replies Rh3 (rook g3→h3).
4. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen h6→h3, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh3 (king g2→h3, captures queen).
5. Best move: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, very long. The key move Qxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r5k/p4Q2/1p4p1/2pP4/3b4/6R1/PP1q2K1/R7 w - - 2 38

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