Chess Puzzle #ycfo3 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen a6; bishop d5; pawns a2/b2/e4/f2/h3. Black: king h8; queen f6; bishop e5; pawns a7/b6/d4/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h6 — pawn h7→h6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen a6→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
3. Best move: Qe8 — queen c8→e8. Opponent replies d3+ (pawn d4→d3, gives check).
4. Best move: Kf1 — king e2→f1. Opponent replies h5 (pawn h6→h5).
5. Best move: Qxh5+ — queen e8→h5, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, very long. The key move Qxh5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 7k/p5pp/Qp3q2/3Bb3/3pP3/7P/PP2KP2/8 b - - 2 32

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