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

Position

White: king h1; queen e3; rook a1; knight c7; pawns a2/b3/d5/d7/f2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g4; rook d8; bishop b7; pawns a7/b6/d6/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd7 — rook d8→d7, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e3→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Ne6+ — knight c7→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king g7→f6).
4. Best move: Qh8+ — queen e8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf5 (king f6→f5).
5. Best move: Nd4+ — knight e6→d4, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, very long. The key move is Qe8+.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/pbNP3p/1p1p2p1/3P4/6q1/1P2Q3/P4P1P/R6K b - - 2 22

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