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

Position

White: king f2; queen d1; rooks a1/e1; bishop d4; pawns a4/c2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c5; rooks a8/e8; pawns a6/b7/c7/f7/g2/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf5+ — queen c5→f5, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf3 — queen d1→f3. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook e8→e1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe1 — rook a1→e1, captures rook. Opponent replies g1=Q+ (pawn g2→g1, promotes to queen, gives check).
4. Best move: Rxg1 — rook e1→g1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, long, middlegame. The key move is Qf3.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/1pp2p1p/p5p1/2q5/P2B4/7P/2P2Kp1/R2QR3 b - - 1 22

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