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

Position

White: king g3; queen e2; rook f5; pawns a4/c4/g5/h3. Black: king g7; queen b3; rook e4; pawns a5/b6/c5/d6/e3/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc4 — queen b3→c4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh5 — queen e2→h5. Opponent replies Qe6 (queen c4→e6).
3. Best move: Rf6 — rook f5→f6. Opponent replies Qxf6 (queen e6→f6, captures rook).
4. Best move: gxf6+ — pawn g5→f6, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move gxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/6k1/1p1p3p/p1p2RP1/P1P1r3/1q2p1KP/4Q3/8 b - - 0 38

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