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

Position

White: king g1; queen e4; knight e7; pawns a2/b3/c5/d6/f2/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen c3; bishop a6; pawns a7/b4/d7/f6/f7/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f5 — pawn f6→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen e4→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king f8→g7).
3. Best move: Qg8+ — queen a8→g8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king g7→f6).
4. Best move: Nd5+ — knight e7→d5, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Qa8+.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/p2pNp2/b2P1ppp/2P5/1p2Q3/1Pq4P/P4PP1/6K1 b - - 2 30

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