Chess Puzzle #ob4fe — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen c3; rook e5; knight g5; pawns c5/f2/g2/h4. Black: king g7; queen h6; rook a8; bishop g4; pawns a7/b7/d5/f6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxh4+ — queen h6→h4, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kg1 — king h2→g1. Opponent replies fxe5 (pawn f6→e5, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe5+ — queen c3→e5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king g7→g6).
4. Best move: Qd6+ — queen e5→d6, gives check.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, equality, long, sacrifice. The key move Qxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r7/pp4kp/5p1q/2PpR1N1/6bP/2Q5/5PPK/8 b - - 0 31

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