Chess Puzzle #lC80E — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen d5; rook d6; bishops a3/b3; pawns a4/f2/f5/g2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rook c1; bishop h4; knight h7; pawns a6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf6 — knight h7→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen d5→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf7 (queen c7→f7, captures queen).
3. Best move: Bxf7+ — bishop b3→f7, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf7 (king g8→f7, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Bxc1 — bishop a3→c1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Qxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2q2ppn/p2R3p/3Q1P2/P6b/BB6/5PPK/2r5 b - - 4 30

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