Chess Puzzle #Cd8wl — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a6; rook f1; bishop f4; knight e4; pawns a2/b2/d4/h2. Black: king c8; queen d5; rooks d8/h8; bishop e7; pawns c6/d6/g5/h4. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc7 — king c8→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa7+ — queen a6→a7, gives check. Opponent replies Kc8 (king c7→c8).
3. Best move: Nc3 — knight e4→c3. Opponent replies Qxd4+ (queen d5→d4, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxd4 — queen a7→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move is Qa7+.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/4b3/Q1pp4/3q2p1/3PNB1p/8/PP5P/5RK1 b - - 0 30

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