Chess Puzzle #EsT1a — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c2; rook e1; knight e7; pawn g2. Black: king h7; queen g4; rook d8; knight g5; pawns b5/e5/f6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g6 — pawn g7→g6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxg6+ — queen c2→g6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king h7→h8).
3. Best move: Qxf6+ — queen g6→f6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
4. Best move: Qg6+ — queen f6→g6, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Qxg6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/4N1pk/5p1p/1p2p1n1/6q1/8/2Q3P1/4R2K b - - 3 44

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