Chess Puzzle #cIUF3 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen d2; pawns a5/b4/d4/e5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e4; pawns a7/b5/d5/e6/f7/g5/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf4+ — queen e4→f4, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf4 — queen d2→f4, captures queen. Opponent replies gxf4 (pawn g5→f4, captures queen).
3. Best move: g4 — pawn g2→g4. Opponent replies fxg3+ (pawn f4→g3, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: fxg3 — pawn f2→g3, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, queen endgame, quiet move. The key move Qxf4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p4p2/4p3/Pp1pP1p1/1P1Pq2p/7P/3Q1PPK/8 b - - 1 31

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