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

Position

White: king b1; queen c6; rooks d1/h1; bishop c1; knight g5; pawns a2/b2/c3/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen f2; rooks a8/d8; bishops e6/g7; pawns a5/e5/f7/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd1 — rook d8→d1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa8+ — queen c6→a8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop g7→f8).
3. Best move: Nxe6 — knight g5→e6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qf5+ (queen f2→f5, gives check).
4. Best move: Ka1 — king b1→a1.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Qxa8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2r2k1/5pb1/2Q1b1p1/p3p1Np/7P/2P5/PP3qP1/1KBR3R b - - 2 21

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