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

Position

White: king c2; queen c6; bishop d2; pawns b2/d7/e4/f2. Black: king c8; rooks g2/h7; bishop f6; pawns c7/e5/f4/h2. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd8 — king c8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf6+ — queen c6→f6, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd7 (king d8→d7, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qf5+ — queen f6→f5, gives check. Opponent replies Kc6 (king d7→c6).
4. Best move: Qxh7 — queen f5→h7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, long. The key move Qxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/2pP3r/2Q2b2/4p3/4Pp2/8/1PKB1Prp/8 b - - 0 36

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