Chess Puzzle #Ar4qv — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen f3; rook d2; bishop e3; pawns a3/b2/d4/f2/h4. Black: king g8; queen b3; rook c8; bishop g7; pawns a7/b6/e6/f7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc2 — rook c8→c2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen f3→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qe4+ — queen a8→e4, gives check. Opponent replies f5 (pawn f7→f5).
4. Best move: Qxc2 — queen e4→c2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Qa8+.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p4pb1/1p2p2p/8/3P3P/Pq2BQ2/1P1R1PK1/8 b - - 0 30

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