Chess Puzzle #0UDco — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen d2; rook h7; knights c3/f4; pawns a3/b2/d5/e4/g2/g6. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks a7/b8; bishop g7; pawns a4/c5/d6/e7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc3 — bishop g7→c3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc3 — queen d2→c3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxb2+ (queen b6→b2, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxb2 — queen c3→b2, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxb2 (rook b8→b2, captures queen).
4. Best move: Kxb2 — king c1→b2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move Qxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/r3p1bR/1q1p2P1/2pP4/p3PN2/P1N5/1P1Q2P1/2K5 b - - 4 23

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