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

Position

White: king g1; queen c8; pawns a5/b2/c3/e5. Black: king g8; queen h6; pawns a6/c6/g3/g5/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf8 — queen h6→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen c8→f8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king g8→f8, captures queen).
3. Best move: b4 — pawn b2→b4. Opponent replies Kf7 (king f8→f7).
4. Best move: c4 — pawn c3→c4. Opponent replies c5 (pawn c6→c5).
5. Best move: b5 — pawn b4→b5.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, queen endgame, quiet move, very long. The key move Qxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2Q3k1/7p/p1p4q/P3P1p1/8/2P3p1/1P6/6K1 b - - 2 47

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