Chess Puzzle #UMRS1 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; queen e6; pawns c3/e5/f4/g3/h4. Black: king f8; queen b2; bishop e7; pawns c5/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc2 — queen b2→c2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen e6→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king f8→f7).
3. Best move: e6+ — pawn e5→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king f7→f6).
4. Best move: Qg8 — queen c8→g8.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Qc8+.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/4b1pp/4Q3/2p1Pp2/5P1P/2P3PK/1q6/8 b - - 1 37

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