Chess Puzzle #3IXZQ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d8; rook a1; pawns a6/f2/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g7; queen a7; rook c7; pawns d4/e6/f6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd7 — rook c7→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd7+ — queen d8→d7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd7 (queen a7→d7, captures queen).
3. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7. Opponent replies d3 (pawn d4→d3).
4. Best move: a8=Q — pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long, promotion, sacrifice. The key move Qxd7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3Q4/q1r3kp/P3ppp1/8/3p1P2/6P1/5P1P/R5K1 b - - 0 37

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