Chess Puzzle #p4J08 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; queen g3; rook c2; knight h2; pawns a4/d4/f2/g2/h4. Black: king g7; queen a5; rooks b8/f8; pawns a7/c5/d6/f7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf6 — king g7→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qg5+ — queen g3→g5, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king f6→e6).
3. Best move: Re2+ — rook c2→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e6→d7).
4. Best move: Qe7+ — queen g5→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kc8 (king d7→c8).
5. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen e7→f8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, interference, very long. The key move Qxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r3r2/p4pk1/3p4/q1p5/P2P3P/6Q1/2R2PPN/K7 b - - 1 30

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