Chess Puzzle #GZzD9 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a2; queen e3; rook e8; knight b4; pawns a3/b2/c2/d5/g5/h4. Black: king g7; queen g3; rook c7; knight b6; pawns a4/d6/f3/f7/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc4 — knight b6→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc3+ — queen e3→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Ne5 (knight c4→e5).
3. Best move: Qxc7 — queen c3→c7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move is Qc3+.

Position data

FEN: 4R3/2r2pk1/1n1p2p1/3P2Pp/pN5P/P3Qpq1/KPP5/8 b - - 1 37

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