Chess Puzzle #1Paz6 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; bishop f1; pawns b3/e3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rook d1; pawns e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb5 — queen b6→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c3→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qc2+ — queen c8→c2, gives check. Opponent replies f5 (pawn f7→f5).
4. Best move: Qxd1 — queen c2→d1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Qc8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5pp1/1q2p2p/8/8/1PQ1P1P1/5P1P/3r1BK1 b - - 1 33

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