Chess Puzzle #L3bOA — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f4; bishop e3; pawns b4/c5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f1; rook a2; knight c3; pawns c6/d5/f5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne4 — knight c3→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen f4→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Qe5+ — queen b8→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Nf6 (knight e4→f6).
4. Best move: Bd4 — bishop e3→d4. Opponent replies Qe2 (queen f1→e2).
5. Best move: Qxf6+ — queen e5→f6, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move Qxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5p1p/2p3p1/2Pp1p2/1P3Q2/2n1B2P/r4PPK/5q2 b - - 1 25

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