Chess Puzzle #XdOEH — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen f3; rooks d1/h1; bishop c2; pawns a2/e3/f2/g4/h6. Black: king h7; queen b4; rooks e8/f8; bishop d7; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxg4 — bishop d7→g4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf6 — queen f3→f6. Opponent replies Rg8 (rook f8→g8).
3. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen f6→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king h7→h8).
4. Best move: Qf6+ — queen f7→f6, gives check.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4rr2/pp1b1p1k/2p3pP/3p4/1q4P1/4PQ2/P1B2P2/2KR3R b - - 2 25

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