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

Position

White: king g1; queen c6; rooks a1/g3; knight f4; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/e3; bishops c8/g5; pawns a7/c5/d4/f5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe7 — queen d8→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa8 — queen c6→a8, captures rook. Opponent replies Re1+ (rook e3→e1, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf2 — king g1→f2. Opponent replies Rxa1 (rook e1→a1, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen a8→c8, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Qxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1bq2k1/p5p1/2Q4p/2p2pb1/3p1N2/3Pr1R1/PPP3PP/R5K1 b - - 0 23

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