Chess Puzzle #3DdET — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rooks e3/f1; pawns a2/b2/c5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rook f7; bishop f6; knight d7; pawns a7/b6/c6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc5 — pawn b6→c5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re7 — rook e3→e7. Opponent replies Ne5 (knight d7→e5).
3. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen c4→f7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nxf7 (knight e5→f7, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxc7 — rook e7→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Qxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p1qn1r1p/1pp2bp1/2P5/2Q5/4R2P/PP4P1/5RK1 b - - 0 25

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