Chess Puzzle #AxrmN — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g5; rook b1; pawns a4/b2/f2/g2/h7. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks e8/g4; pawns a6/b7/e6/g7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxh7 — king g8→h7, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh5+ — queen g5→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
3. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen h5→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
4. Best move: Qh5+ — queen e8→h5, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move Qxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/1p4pP/pq2p3/6Q1/P5r1/8/1P3PP1/1R4K1 b - - 0 26

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