Chess Puzzle #F2i8X — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a7; rooks a1/d1; pawns a3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen d3; rooks b2/e8; pawns b7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb3 — queen d3→b3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc5+ — queen a7→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
3. Best move: Qe7 — queen c5→e7. Opponent replies h6 (pawn h7→h6).
4. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen e7→e8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Qxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4rk2/Qp3ppp/4p3/8/8/P2q3P/1r3PP1/R2R2K1 b - - 1 20

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