Chess Puzzle #f6hpF — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a2; queen c1; rook c7; bishop f3; pawns a4/b3/c2/e4/h5. Black: king g8; queen c5; rook b8; bishops c3/e6; pawns a5/c6/f6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb4 — queen c5→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qg1+ — queen c1→g1, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: Qg7+ — queen g1→g7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king f8→e8).
4. Best move: Qh8+ — queen g7→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen b4→f8).
5. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen h8→f8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, middlegame, very long. The key move Qxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/2R5/2p1bp2/p1q4P/P3P3/1Pb2B2/K1P5/2Q5 b - - 1 41

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