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

Position

White: king g2; queen a5; rook c1; pawns a2/c6/e5/f2/g3. Black: king c8; queen e7; rook h8; bishop e8; knight f5; pawns a7/e6/f7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd4 — knight f5→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa6+ — queen a5→a6, gives check. Opponent replies Kd8 (king c8→d8).
3. Best move: c7+ — pawn c6→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc7 (queen e7→c7, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Rxc7 — rook c1→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move is Qa6+.

Position data

FEN: 2k1b2r/p3qp2/2P1p3/Q3Pn2/8/6P1/P4PK1/2R5 b - - 2 30

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