Chess Puzzle #H8N9J — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; rook a1; bishop b3; pawns a3/b2/c3/c5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g6; queen g5; rooks a8/f8; bishop g4; pawns a6/b7/f4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh5 — king g6→h5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh7+ — queen e4→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Qh6 (queen g5→h6).
3. Best move: Bf7+ — bishop b3→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook f8→f7, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen h7→f7, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Qxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4r2/1p6/p5k1/2P3q1/4Qpb1/PBP5/1P3PPP/R5K1 b - - 2 23

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