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

Position

White: king f4; queen h4; rook g3; pawns a3/e4/f2/g2/g5. Black: king h7; queen c3; rook a8; bishop b7; pawns a6/b5/c4/d4/e6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd2+ — queen c3→d2, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ke5 — king f4→e5. Opponent replies f6+ (pawn f7→f6, gives check).
3. Best move: gxf6 — pawn g5→f6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, short. The key move is Ke5.

Position data

FEN: r7/1b3p1k/p3p2p/1p4P1/2ppPK1Q/P1q3R1/5PP1/8 b - - 1 31

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