Chess Puzzle #90fbT — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c5; rook d1; knight g3; pawns a3/d6/f2/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen d7; rook c8; bishop c6; pawns b5/f5/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bf3 — bishop c6→f3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen c5→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc8 (queen d7→c8, captures queen).
3. Best move: d7 — pawn d6→d7. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen c8→d8).
4. Best move: gxf3 — pawn g2→f3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, long, sacrifice. The key move Qxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/3q1p1p/2bP2p1/1pQ2p2/7P/P5N1/5PP1/3R2K1 b - - 0 31

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