Chess Puzzle #JTO4C — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d2; rook f2; bishop g2; pawns a4/b3/d3/d6/e4. Black: king e5; queen g3; rook g8; bishop g4; pawns a7/b7/d4/h4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxd6 — king e5→d6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb4+ — queen d2→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king d6→c7).
3. Best move: Qc4+ — queen b4→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c7→b8).
4. Best move: Qxg8+ — queen c4→g8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, fork, long. The key move Qxg8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6r1/pp6/3P4/4k3/P2pP1bp/1P1P2q1/3Q1RB1/7K b - - 0 41

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