Chess Puzzle #52w8V — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks a1/b1; knight b3; pawns a5/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks a6/b4; bishop f6; pawns c6/d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb7 — queen b6→b7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc5 — knight b3→c5. Opponent replies Rxb1+ (rook b4→b1, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxb1 — rook a1→b1, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxb1+ (queen b7→b1, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxb1 — queen c2→b1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, long, middlegame. The key move is Nc5.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5pp1/rqp1pb1p/P2p4/1r1P4/1N2P3/2Q2PPP/RR4K1 b - - 0 24

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