Chess Puzzle #49Cav — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d6; rook c1; knight c3; pawns f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen g7; rook c8; bishop e6; pawns a6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook c8→c3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d6→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen g7→f8).
3. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen d8→f8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king g8→f8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxc3 — rook c1→c3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move Qxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/5pqp/p2Qb1p1/8/8/2N3P1/5P1P/2R3K1 b - - 0 42

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