Chess Puzzle #6X0zD — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen f1; rook c1; pawns a3/b2/c3/e4/e5/g4. Black: king c8; queen d7; rook e3; pawns a6/b7/c5/d6/e6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxe5 — pawn d6→e5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf8+ — queen f1→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king c8→c7).
3. Best move: Qxc5+ — queen f8→c5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qc6 (queen d7→c6).
4. Best move: Qxe3 — queen c5→e3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move Qxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/1p1q2pp/p2pp3/2p1P3/4P1P1/P1P1r3/1P6/1KR2Q2 b - - 0 32

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