Chess Puzzle #A1ol9 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c3; queen e7; bishop d3; pawns c4/d6/e4/f3. Black: king c6; queen f2; bishop d7; pawns a6/c5/f4/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf3 — queen f2→f3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8 — queen e7→d8. Opponent replies Kxd6 (king c6→d6, captures pawn).
3. Best move: e5+ — pawn e4→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe5 (king d6→e5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Qxd7 — queen d8→d7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, long. The key move is Qd8.

Position data

FEN: 8/3bQ3/p1kP3p/2p5/2P1Pp2/2KB1P2/5q2/8 b - - 12 45

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