Chess Puzzle #1x9KQ — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c6; rook f2; bishop h2; pawns b5/c3/d4/e3/f4/g2. Black: king d7; queen f5; rooks f8/g7; bishop g5; pawns b6/c7/e4/e6/h4. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc8 — king d7→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra2 — rook f2→a2. Opponent replies Kd8 (king c8→d8).
3. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a2→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king d8→e7).
4. Best move: Qxc7+ — queen c6→c7, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, interference, long, middlegame, queenside attack, quiet move. The key move Qxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/2pk2r1/1pQ1p3/1P3qb1/3PpP1p/2P1P3/5RPB/6K1 b - - 1 36

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