Chess Puzzle #8HOjh — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen e3; rook e1; pawns a2/c4/d4/f2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f6; rook f4; pawns a7/b7/g5/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd4 — rook f4→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e3→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen f6→f8).
3. Best move: Qg6+ — queen e8→g6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
4. Best move: Re8 — rook e1→e8.

Tactical themes

clearance, crushing, endgame, exposed king, long, pin. The key move is Qe8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pp6/5q1p/6p1/2PP1r2/4Q2P/P4PK1/4R3 b - - 2 27

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