Chess Puzzle #9Rbyr — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; queen h7; rook a1; bishop c3; pawns a2/b2/c4/f5/h2. Black: king f8; queen f1; rook e8; knight f7; pawns a5/b6/c7/d6/g5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa1 — queen f1→a1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qg7+ — queen h7→g7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
3. Best move: Bf6+ — bishop c3→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e7→d7).
4. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen g7→f7, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move Qxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4rk2/2p2n1Q/1p1p4/p4Pp1/2P5/2B5/PPK4P/R4q2 b - - 1 33

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