Chess Puzzle #51DaQ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c2; rook h4; pawns a4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b6; rook a8; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook a8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh7+ — queen c2→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h7→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
4. Best move: Re4+ — rook h4→e4, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Qh7+.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/pp3pp1/1qp5/8/P6R/7P/2Q3P1/7K b - - 4 31

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