Chess Puzzle #941oo — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b3; queen h6; rook e7; knight d5; pawns a3/b2/e4/h3. Black: king d8; queen f2; rooks c8/f8; pawns a6/b7/c7/d6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf3+ — queen f2→f3, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ka2 — king b3→a2. Opponent replies Qf1 (queen f3→f1).
3. Best move: Rxc7 — rook e7→c7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxc7 (rook c8→c7, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxd6+ — queen h6→d6, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

capturing the defender, crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, sacrifice. The key move Qxd6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2rk1r2/1pp1R3/p2p3Q/3N4/4P3/PK5P/1P3q2/8 b - - 2 37

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