Chess Puzzle #Obkx4 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; rooks a1/f1; bishops d2/e2; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks b8/h8; bishops b7/d6; knight e5; pawns a6/b6/c5/d5/e6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d4 — pawn d5→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxg7 — queen g3→g7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qe7 (queen d8→e7).
3. Best move: Qxh8+ — queen g7→h8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e8→d7).
4. Best move: Qf6 — queen h8→f6.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move Qxh8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r1qk2r/1b4pp/pp1bp3/2ppn3/8/2N3Q1/PPPBB1PP/R4RK1 b k - 1 16

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