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

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rook e1; knight e8; pawns d4/f3/g2/h4. Black: king h8; queen d5; rook c2; bishop c6; pawns a7/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxe8 — bishop c6→e8, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh6 — queen e3→h6. Opponent replies Qxd4+ (queen d5→d4, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh1 — king g1→h1. Opponent replies Qxh4+ (queen d4→h4, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxh4 — queen h6→h4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Qh6.

Position data

FEN: 4N2k/p4p1p/2b3p1/3q4/3P3P/4QP2/2r3P1/4R1K1 b - - 0 29

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