Chess Puzzle #CCM9E — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen b7; bishop c2; pawns a3/c3/d4/f2. Black: king g6; queen g4; knight d5; pawns a5/c4/e4/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc3 — knight d5→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa6+ — queen b7→a6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf5 (king g6→f5).
3. Best move: Qxa5+ — queen a6→a5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king f5→f6).
4. Best move: Qxc3 — queen a5→c3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, exposed king, fork, long. The key move Qxa5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/1Q4pp/6k1/p2n4/2pPp1q1/P1P5/2B2P2/5K2 b - - 1 36

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