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

Position

White: king g1; queen g6; rook c1; pawns a2/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f4; rook a8; bishop c8; knight f5; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/h6. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh8 — king g8→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen g6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
3. Best move: Qf7+ — queen e8→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Ng7 (knight f5→g7).
4. Best move: Qxf4 — queen f7→f4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move is Qe8+.

Position data

FEN: r1b3k1/1p6/p3p1Qp/3pPn2/5q2/8/P4PPP/2R3K1 b - - 3 35

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