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

Position

White: king b1; queen a7; rook f1; knight g5; pawns a2/b3/c2/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen d5; rook e8; bishop g4; pawns a5/b5/c6/f5/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh7+ — queen a7→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h7→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
4. Best move: Re1+ — rook f1→e1, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move is Qh7+.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/Q7/2p3p1/pp1q1pNp/6bP/1P6/P1P3P1/1K3R2 b - - 4 31

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