Chess Puzzle #13CyW — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rook b1; pawns a5/c4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c8; bishops c7/d7; pawns a6/c6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxa5 — bishop c7→a5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen b7→c8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc8 (bishop d7→c8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rb8 — rook b1→b8. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
4. Best move: Rxc8 — rook b8→c8, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, endgame, long, pin. The key move Qxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2q3k1/1Qbb2p1/p1p4p/P7/2P5/6P1/5P1P/1R4K1 b - - 3 30

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