Chess Puzzle #lA74A — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h7; rooks d1/e1; bishop g6; pawns b3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king f8; queen a2; rooks d7/d8; bishop b7; knight d5; pawns a5/c6/e6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf6 — knight d5→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h7→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ng8 (knight f6→g8).
3. Best move: Bh7 — bishop g6→h7. Opponent replies Qxf2+ (queen a2→f2, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxf2 — king g1→f2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

clearance, crushing, long, middlegame. The key move is Qh8+.

Position data

FEN: 3r1k2/1b1r2pQ/2p1p1Bp/p2n4/8/1P4P1/q4P1P/3RR1K1 b - - 5 30

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