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

Position

White: king h1; queen h7; rook f1; bishop e2; knight d2; pawns c3/d4/e4/e5/h2. Black: king d7; queen g5; rook a3; bishop b7; knight c6; pawns b3/d5/e6/f7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd2 — queen g5→d2, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen h7→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc8 (king d7→c8).
3. Best move: Qxe6+ — queen f7→e6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king c8→c7).
4. Best move: Qd6+ — queen e6→d6, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, long, middlegame. The key move Qxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/1b1k1p1Q/2n1p2p/3pP1q1/3PP3/rpP5/3NB2P/5R1K b - - 2 27

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