Chess Puzzle #4ERgu — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks a1/f1; knights b3/f6; pawns a2/b2/c4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen b4; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/e7; pawns a7/c6/e5/f7/g7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf6 — bishop e7→f6, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc6+ — queen f3→c6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king e8→e7).
3. Best move: Qxa8 — queen c6→a8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qb7 (queen b4→b7).
4. Best move: Qxb7+ — queen a8→b7, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Qxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b1k2r/p3bpp1/2p2N2/4p2p/1qP5/1N3Q2/PP3PPP/R4RK1 b kq - 0 18

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