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

Position

White: king h1; queen g4; rook f1; bishop c4; pawns a3/b4/c2/c5/g3/h4. Black: king h8; queen e3; rooks d2/g7; knight g5; pawns a7/b7/c7/f6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne4 — knight g5→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh5+ — queen g4→h5, gives check. Opponent replies Rh7 (rook g7→h7).
3. Best move: Qe8+ — queen h5→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h8→g7).
4. Best move: Qe7+ — queen e8→e7, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move is Qh5+.

Position data

FEN: 7k/ppp3r1/5p2/2P3n1/1PB3QP/P3q1P1/2Pr4/5R1K b - - 6 39

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