Chess Puzzle #XO4UG — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen e4; rook e1; bishop d4; pawns a4/b3/d5/f2/f3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f4; rook f8; bishop d6; pawns a5/b6/c7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxh2 — queen f4→h2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qg4 — queen e4→g4. Opponent replies Qh1+ (queen h2→h1, gives check).
3. Best move: Ke2 — king f1→e2. Opponent replies Qxe1+ (queen h1→e1, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxe1 — king e2→e1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Qg4.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/2p3p1/1p1b3p/p2P4/P2BQq2/1P3P2/5P1P/4RK2 b - - 2 27

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