Chess Puzzle #1IxDe — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c6; rook f1; knight c5; pawns a2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d4; rook b2; bishop e5; pawns a6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc2 — rook b2→c2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c6→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Ne6+ — knight c5→e6, gives check. Opponent replies fxe6 (pawn f7→e6, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qxc2 — queen c8→c2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, discovered attack, endgame, long. The key move is Qc8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5p1p/p1Q3p1/2N1b3/3q4/7P/Pr3PP1/5RK1 b - - 1 26

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