Chess Puzzle #1kVQ3 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rook c1; pawns a2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d5; rook c8; bishop f8; pawns c2/f5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd1+ — queen d5→d1, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd1 — rook c1→d1, captures queen. Opponent replies c1=Q (pawn c2→c1, promotes to queen).
3. Best move: Rxc1 — rook d1→c1, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxc1+ (rook c8→c1, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh2 — king g1→h2.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move Rxd1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2bk1/7p/6p1/3q1p2/Q7/7P/P1p2PP1/2R3K1 b - - 1 38

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