Chess Puzzle #8aA6s — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen e5; rooks d2/d6; pawns a2/c2/h3. Black: king f7; queen a7; rook f8; bishop c8; knight c5; pawns a6/c6/f5/g6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne4 — knight c5→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc6 — rook d6→c6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Re8 (rook f8→e8).
3. Best move: Rc7+ — rook c6→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc7 (queen a7→c7, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxc7+ — queen e5→c7, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Qxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2b2r2/q4k2/p1pR2p1/2n1Qp2/8/7P/P1PR3K/8 b - - 8 36

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