Chess Puzzle #mr1AV — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; queen c3; pawns a4/b3/e4/f3. Black: king f4; queen e7; pawns a5/c5/e5/e6/h4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf6 — queen e7→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc1+ — queen c3→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf3 (king f4→f3, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qf1+ — queen c1→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke3 (king f3→e3).
4. Best move: Qxf6 — queen f1→f6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, queen endgame, skewer. The key move is Qc1+.

Position data

FEN: 8/4q3/4p3/p1p1p3/P3Pk1p/1PQ2P1K/8/8 b - - 7 39

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