Chess Puzzle #9Uf0i — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c8; rook a8; pawns c4/d5/f3/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen g6; rook b3; pawns c5/d6/e5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg3 — queen g6→g3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf5+ — queen c8→f5, gives check. Opponent replies Qg6 (queen g3→g6).
3. Best move: Rh8+ — rook a8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh8 (king h7→h8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxg6 — queen f5→g6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

clearance, crushing, deflection, endgame, long. The key move is Qf5+.

Position data

FEN: R1Q5/6pk/3p2qp/2pPp3/2P5/1r3P1P/6P1/6K1 b - - 3 34

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