Chess Puzzle #1tdCc — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g5; rook c6; bishop a3; pawns e5/f2/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen a6; rook c8; pawns a7/b6/d5/e6/f5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc6 — rook c8→c6, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen g5→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
3. Best move: Qd7+ — queen d8→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king f7→g6).
4. Best move: Qxc6 — queen d7→c6, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxa3 (queen a6→a3, captures bishop).
5. Best move: Qxe6+ — queen c6→e6, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, very long. The key move Qxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p5pp/qpR1p3/3pPpQ1/8/B5PP/5P2/6K1 b - - 0 31

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