Chess Puzzle #FdANn — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen c6; bishop e1; knight c1; pawns a3/e5/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d1; rook e8; bishop e7; pawns c3/c5/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc1 — queen d1→c1, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen c6→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop e7→f8).
3. Best move: Qe6+ — queen e8→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
4. Best move: Qxf5 — queen e6→f5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, hanging piece, long. The key move Qxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/4b1pp/2Q5/2p1Pp2/5P2/P1p5/6PP/2NqBK2 b - - 0 29

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