Chess Puzzle #2oQMd — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; queen h2; rooks a1/f1; knight d2; pawns a2/c3/e3/g2. Black: king e7; queen g4; rooks a8/e8; knight c6; pawns a7/b4/c4/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc3 — pawn b4→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc7+ — queen h2→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Qd7 (queen g4→d7).
3. Best move: Rf7+ — rook f1→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf7 (king e7→f7, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxd7+ — queen c7→d7, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, deflection, exposed king, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Qxd7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3r3/p3k1p1/2n5/8/1pp3q1/2P1P3/P1KN2PQ/R4R2 b - - 1 26

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