Chess Puzzle #2nAdd — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen g7; rook d2; pawns a2/c3/e3/f4/g2. Black: king b6; queen c2; bishop e6; knight c6; pawns a6/c4/d5/f5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe4 — queen c2→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb2+ — rook d2→b2, gives check. Opponent replies Ka5 (king b6→a5).
3. Best move: Qc7+ — queen g7→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Ka4 (king a5→a4).
4. Best move: Qxc6+ — queen c7→c6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Ka3 (king a4→a3).
5. Best move: Rd2 — rook b2→d2. Opponent replies Qxg2+ (queen e4→g2, captures pawn, gives check).
6. Best move: Kd1 — king e2→d1. Opponent replies Qh1+ (queen g2→h1, gives check).
7. Best move: Kc2 — king d1→c2.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, very long. The key move Qxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/6Q1/pkn1b3/3p1p2/2p2P2/2P1P3/P1qRK1P1/8 b - - 8 35

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