Chess Puzzle #DgX4Q — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rook e1; knight g5; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g7; queen d6; rook a8; bishop f5; pawns a6/b5/c4/c7/d3/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh8 — rook a8→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh8+ — queen h4→h8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh8 (king g7→h8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nxf7+ — knight g5→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h8→g8).
4. Best move: Nxd6 — knight f7→d6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, endgame, fork, long, sacrifice. The key move Qxh8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r7/2p2pk1/p2q2p1/1p3bN1/2p4Q/2Pp4/PP3PPP/4R1K1 b - - 0 23

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