Chess Puzzle #9Xzns — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d5; rook d1; pawns a4/c6/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen c7; rook e7; pawns a7/f7/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re6 — rook e7→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe6 — queen d5→e6, captures rook. Opponent replies fxe6 (pawn f7→e6, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rd7+ — rook d1→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd7 (queen c7→d7, captures rook).
4. Best move: cxd7 — pawn c6→d7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, clearance, crushing, endgame, fork, long, sacrifice. The key move Qxe6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1q1rp1k/2P3pp/3Q4/P7/7P/6P1/3R3K b - - 6 45

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