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

Position

White: king h2; queen e4; rook d1; pawns d5/f2/g3/h3. Black: king f8; queen d6; rook d8; pawns a5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra8 — rook d8→a8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh7 — queen e4→h7. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook a8→d8).
3. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h7→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
4. Best move: Qxg7 — queen h8→g7, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, long. The key move is Qh7.

Position data

FEN: 3r1k2/5pp1/3q3p/p2P4/4Q3/6PP/5P1K/3R4 b - - 2 40

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