Chess Puzzle #65alf — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rook c6; pawns b4/d5/g2/g5/h2. Black: king g7; queen a3; rook g8; knight e4; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exd5 — pawn e6→d5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd4+ — queen d1→d4, gives check. Opponent replies f6 (pawn f7→f6).
3. Best move: Rxf6 — rook c6→f6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qe3+ (queen a3→e3, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxe3 — queen d4→e3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Qd4+.

Position data

FEN: 6r1/5pk1/p1R1p3/1p1P2P1/1P2n3/q7/6PP/3Q2K1 b - - 0 33

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