Chess Puzzle #1q4za — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks a1/f1; bishop f3; pawns a4/c4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a6; rooks e4/f8; bishop g7; pawns a7/b6/c5/e5/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc4 — queen a6→c4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc4+ — queen b3→c4, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc4 (rook e4→c4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Bd5+ — bishop f3→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
4. Best move: Bxc4 — bishop d5→c4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, exposed king, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Qxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/p5b1/qp4pp/2p1p3/P1P1r3/1Q3B2/5PPP/R4RK1 b - - 1 24

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