Chess Puzzle #1Awgr — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rooks a1/f1; knight b5; pawns a2/b2/b3/d3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king d7; queen d8; rooks a8/g8; bishop c8; knight f6; pawns b7/c7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c5 — pawn c7→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd6+ — queen e5→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king d7→e8).
3. Best move: Nc7+ — knight b5→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc7 (queen d8→c7, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qxc7 — queen d6→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move is Qd6+.

Position data

FEN: r1bq2r1/1ppk1pp1/4pn1p/1N1pQ3/8/1P1P3P/PP3PP1/R4RK1 b - - 0 19

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