Chess Puzzle #HEw68 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e7; rooks e3/f1; pawns a2/b2/f6/h2. Black: king g7; queen b6; rooks c2/f7; pawns a7/b7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg8 — king g7→g8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e7→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f7→f8).
3. Best move: f7+ — pawn f6→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
4. Best move: Qe5+ — queen e8→e5, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Qe8+.

Position data

FEN: 8/pp2Qrkp/1q3Pp1/8/8/4R3/PPr4P/5RK1 b - - 0 26

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