Chess Puzzle #0NC2L — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen e1; rook b7; bishop g2; knight c3; pawn f2. Black: king g8; queen a3; rook d3; bishop g6; pawns a7/c5/f7/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook d3→c3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b7→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qh1+ — queen e1→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Rh3 (rook c3→h3).
4. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen h1→h3, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxh3 (queen a3→h3, captures queen).
5. Best move: Bxh3 — bishop g2→h3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, very long. The key move Qxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pR3pp1/6b1/2p5/8/q1Nr4/4KPB1/4Q3 b - - 1 33

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