Chess Puzzle #49SS5 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a6; rook c7; bishop f1; pawns a3/d5/e4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d1; rook b8; knight f6; pawns d6/e5/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe4 — knight f6→e4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook b8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen a6→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
4. Best move: Qf5+ — queen c8→f5, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move Qxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/2R2pp1/Q2p1n1p/3Pp3/4P3/P5P1/5P1P/3q1BK1 b - - 2 29

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