Chess Puzzle #Dcsqg — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f3; rook f1; knight h6; pawns a4/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen c4; rook d8; bishop c5; pawns a5/e5/f6/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxh6 — pawn g7→h6, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf6+ — queen f3→f6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king f8→e8).
3. Best move: Qc6+ — queen f6→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king e8→e7).
4. Best move: Qc7+ — queen c6→c7, gives check.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, exposed king, fork, long. The key move Qxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r1k2/6p1/5p1N/p1b1p3/P1q5/5Q2/6PP/5R1K b - - 0 29

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