Chess Puzzle #ePs4o — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen d4; rook c3; knight f6; pawns a3/b2/e5/f4. Black: king h6; queen e6; rook g7; bishop c8; pawns a6/b5/d5/g5/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxf4 — pawn g5→f4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf4+ — queen d4→f4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rg5 (rook g7→g5).
3. Best move: Rg3 — rook c3→g3. Opponent replies Qxe5 (queen e6→e5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Ng8+ — knight f6→g8, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Qxf4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2b5/6r1/p3qN1k/1p1pP1pp/3Q1P2/P1R5/1P5K/8 b - - 0 42

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