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

Position

White: king h1; queen f6; rooks c1/f1; knights c3/e2; pawns a3/b2/c2/e4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king c8; queen c6; rooks d8/g8; bishop e6; knight e7; pawns a6/b7/d6/e5/f7/g5/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: hxg3 — pawn h4→g3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe7 — queen f6→e7, captures knight. Opponent replies g2+ (pawn g3→g2, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxg2 — king h1→g2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rge8 (rook g8→e8).
4. Best move: Qf6 — queen e7→f6.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Qxe7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2kr2r1/1p2np2/p1qpbQ2/4p1p1/4P2p/P1N3P1/1PP1NP1P/2R2R1K b - - 2 23

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