Chess Puzzle #C3Dqx — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e6; rook d7; pawns a2/b2/c2/f4/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen g6; rook d8; pawns a5/c6/d5/d6/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe8 — queen g6→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd6+ — queen e6→d6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
3. Best move: Rxd8 — rook d7→d8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxd8 (queen e8→d8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen d6→d8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pin. The key move Qxd6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r1k2/3R2pp/2ppQpq1/p2p4/5P2/7P/PPP3P1/6K1 b - - 5 26

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