Chess Puzzle #9KLbc — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c2; rook e1; pawns a2/b3/g2/h3. Black: king f7; queen f6; rook a8; pawns a7/b7/c6/c7/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook a8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc4+ — queen c2→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Re6 (rook e8→e6).
3. Best move: Rf1 — rook e1→f1. Opponent replies Qxf1+ (queen f6→f1, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxf1+ — queen c4→f1, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pin. The key move Qxf1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r7/ppp2kp1/2p2q2/8/8/1P5P/P1Q3P1/4R2K b - - 0 26

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