Chess Puzzle #3iKey — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen b5; rook a1; bishop d3; pawns a6/c3/c4/d5/f5/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen e3; rooks d8/f8; pawns a7/b6/c5/f4/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd7 — rook d8→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc6+ — queen b5→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Rc7 (rook d7→c7).
3. Best move: Qa8+ — queen c6→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king c8→d7).
4. Best move: Qxf8 — queen a8→f8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long, skewer. The key move is Qc6+.

Position data

FEN: 2kr1r2/p4pp1/Pp5p/1QpP1P2/2P2p2/2PBq3/6PP/R6K b - - 4 24

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