Chess Puzzle #F8PhS — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e8; rook e2; pawns d7/e6/f4/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen c7; rook f8; bishop g7; pawns a7/b6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc1+ — queen c7→c1, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kh2 — king g1→h2. Opponent replies Qxf4+ (queen c1→f4, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: g3 — pawn g2→g3. Opponent replies Qf1 (queen f4→f1).
4. Best move: Rc2 — rook e2→c2.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pin. The key move is Kh2.

Position data

FEN: 4Qr1k/p1qP2bp/1p2P1p1/8/5P2/7P/4R1P1/6K1 b - - 4 38

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