Chess Puzzle #SE4xX — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen a4; rooks c1/f1; pawns a3/b2/d3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g7; queen b6; rooks b8/f8; bishop d4; pawns a7/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf2 — rook f8→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc7+ — rook c1→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc7 (queen b6→c7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd4+ — queen a4→d4, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g7→h7).
4. Best move: Qxf2 — queen d4→f2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Qxd4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r3r2/p5k1/1q4pp/8/Q2b4/P2P4/1P3PPP/2R2R1K b - - 0 27

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