Chess Puzzle #3rHO6 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c6; bishop f1; pawns b4/f2/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d4; knight d2; pawns d5/e6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe4 — queen d4→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c6→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Qc3+ — queen c8→c3, gives check. Opponent replies f6 (pawn f7→f6).
4. Best move: Qxd2 — queen c3→d2, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Qc8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5p1p/2Q1p1p1/3p4/1P1q1P2/6P1/3n1P1P/5BK1 b - - 0 36

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