Chess Puzzle #EF5cR — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen a6; rook e2; pawns a2/d4/f3/g2/g4. Black: king g8; queen c7; rook b1; pawns d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qh2 — queen c7→h2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen a6→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qc2+ — queen c8→c2, gives check. Opponent replies g6 (pawn g7→g6).
4. Best move: Qxb1 — queen c2→b1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Qc8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2q2pp1/Q3p2p/3p4/3P2P1/5P2/P3RKP1/1r6 b - - 3 34

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