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

Position

White: king h1; queen h4; rook f1; bishop c4; pawns a2/b2/c3/d5/g2/h2. Black: king e7; queen e3; rooks f6/f8; bishop d7; pawns a7/b6/c5/e6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e5 — pawn e6→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf6 — rook f1→f6, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxf6 (rook f8→f6, captures rook).
3. Best move: d6+ — pawn d5→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd6 (king e7→d6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Qxf6+ — queen h4→f6, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, deflection, exposed king, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Qxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/p2bk3/1p2pr2/2pP4/2B4Q/2P1q3/PP4PP/5R1K b - - 0 26

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