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

Position

White: king c3; queen d6; rook b1; pawns a2/b4/c2/f2/f4. Black: king a8; queen f5; rook h2; pawns a6/b7/g6/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf2 — rook h2→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d6→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Ka7 (king a8→a7).
3. Best move: Qd4+ — queen d8→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king a7→b8).
4. Best move: Qxf2 — queen d4→f2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Qd8+.

Position data

FEN: k7/1p4p1/p2Q2p1/5q2/1P3P2/2K5/P1P2P1r/1R6 b - - 0 34

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