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

Position

White: king h1; queen d3; rook f1; pawns c5/d4/e7/g2/h2. Black: king h7; queen g5; rook e4; bishop f4; pawns d5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg8 — king h7→g8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe4 — queen d3→e4, captures rook. Opponent replies dxe4 (pawn d5→e4, captures queen).
3. Best move: e8=Q+ — pawn e7→e8, promotes to queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, promotion, short. The key move Qxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/4P1pk/7p/2Pp2q1/3Prb2/3Q4/6PP/5R1K b - - 0 35

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