Chess Puzzle #6VLtx — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c3; rook d4; pawns a3/d5/e5/f2/f3/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rooks d7/d8; pawns a5/f5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd5 — rook d7→d5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc4 — queen c3→c4. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Rxd5 — rook d4→d5, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxd5 (rook d8→d5, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxd5 — queen c4→d5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, intermezzo, long, pin. The key move is Qc4.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/3r3p/6p1/p2PPpq1/3R4/P1Q2P2/5P1P/7K b - - 2 35

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