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

Position

White: king f2; queen d2; rooks c1/d1; pawns a2/b2/d6/e3/g2. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks d8/h6; pawns a7/b7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rhxd6 — rook h6→d6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd6 — queen d2→d6, captures rook. Opponent replies Qf5+ (queen e5→f5, gives check).
3. Best move: Qf4 — queen d6→f4. Opponent replies Qxf4+ (queen f5→f4, captures queen, gives check).
4. Best move: exf4 — pawn e3→f4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Qxd6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/pp3ppp/3P3r/4q3/8/4P3/PP1Q1KP1/2RR4 b - - 0 22

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