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

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rook f1; bishop d2; pawns a2/d3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e6; rook b8; bishop e7; pawns a6/c5/d4/g5/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb2 — rook b8→b2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen a4→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Rf8 — rook f1→f8. Opponent replies Bxf8 (bishop e7→f8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxe6 — queen e8→e6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, quiet move. The key move is Qe8+.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/4b1p1/p3q3/2p3p1/Q2p4/3P4/P2B2PP/5RK1 b - - 2 27

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