Chess Puzzle #xK8bT — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e4; rooks f1/f7; pawns a4/b3/c3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks a8/f8; pawns a6/b5/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc3 — queen c7→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd5 — queen e4→d5. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook f8→f7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxa8+ — queen d5→a8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
4. Best move: Qe4+ — queen a8→e4, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Qxa8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/2q2Rp1/p6p/1p6/P3Q3/1PP5/6PP/5R1K b - - 0 22

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