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

Position

White: king h5; queen f3; rook h1; pawns b3/c2/g4/h3. Black: king c8; queen d6; rook d2; pawns a7/b7/c7/f6/g5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc2 — rook d2→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf5+ — queen f3→f5, gives check. Opponent replies Qd7 (queen d6→d7).
3. Best move: Qxc2 — queen f5→c2, captures rook. Opponent replies Qe8+ (queen d7→e8, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh6 — king h5→h6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Qf5+.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/ppp5/3q1p2/6pK/6P1/1P3Q1P/2Pr4/7R b - - 1 33

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