Chess Puzzle #APk95 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen e3; rook g1; knight d2; pawns a2/d4/e5/h3. Black: king c7; queen b2; rook h8; bishop d7; pawns a7/b6/d5/e6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa2 — queen b2→a2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc3+ — queen e3→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Kb7 (king c7→b7).
3. Best move: Ra1 — rook g1→a1. Opponent replies Qxa1 (queen a2→a1, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxa1 — queen c3→a1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, trapped piece. The key move is Qc3+.

Position data

FEN: 7r/p1kb4/1p2p3/3pP3/3P4/4Q2P/Pq1N3K/6R1 b - - 1 33

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