Chess Puzzle #p42fj — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen e2; rook a3; bishops c1/e4; pawns a4/b2/d4/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen h2; rooks a8/f8; bishop d6; pawns a6/b7/f6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rae8 — rook a8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qg4+ — queen e2→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g7→h8).
3. Best move: Bxh6 — bishop c1→h6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rg8 (rook f8→g8).
4. Best move: Qh5 — queen g4→h5.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, long, middlegame. The key move is Qg4+.

Position data

FEN: r4r2/1p3pk1/p2b1p1p/8/P2PB3/R6P/1P2QKPq/2B5 b - - 6 31

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