Chess Puzzle #PcOJI — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen f6; rooks a1/h1; knight h5; pawns a2/b2/e4/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen d3; rooks d8/f8; bishop e6; pawns a7/b4/c7/f7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc2+ — queen d3→c2, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kg3 — king f2→g3. Opponent replies Rd3+ (rook d8→d3, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh4 — king g3→h4. Opponent replies Qf2+ (queen c2→f2, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxf2 — queen f6→f2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Kg3.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/p1p2p1p/4bQ2/7N/1p2P1P1/3q3P/PP3K2/R6R b - - 1 22

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