Chess Puzzle #5HvE4 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen c7; pawns a2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rooks b8/d1; pawns a7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb2 — rook b8→b2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Qc3+ — queen c8→c3, gives check. Opponent replies f6 (pawn f7→f6).
4. Best move: Qxb2 — queen c3→b2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long, queen rook endgame. The key move is Qc8+.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/p1Q2p1p/6p1/8/8/6P1/P4PKP/3r4 b - - 3 25

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