Chess Puzzle #ZNSHO — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen c4; rook d1; bishop d5; pawns a3/b5/g3/h3. Black: king h8; queen e5; rook f6; pawns a5/b7/d4/e4/f2/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e3 — pawn e4→e3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c4→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
3. Best move: Bg8+ — bishop d5→g8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king h7→g6).
4. Best move: Qg4+ — queen c8→g4, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Qc8+.

Position data

FEN: 7k/1p4p1/5r1p/pP1Bq3/2Qpp3/P5PP/5pK1/3R4 b - - 3 36

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