Chess Puzzle #17rHW — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; bishop g2; knight d2; pawns a6/b5/c3/e4/f2/g3. Black: king c7; queen f6; rook d8; knight c6; pawns a7/b6/e5/e6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd2 — rook d8→d2, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc6+ — queen c4→c6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kd8 (king c7→d8).
3. Best move: Qa8+ — queen c6→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king d8→e7).
4. Best move: Qxa7+ — queen a8→a7, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move Qxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/p1k5/Ppn1pq2/1P2p3/2Q1P3/2P3P1/3N1PB1/6K1 b - - 0 31

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