Chess Puzzle #LQ810 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen c5; rook e8; pawns a3/b2/f4/g3. Black: king g8; queen f6; rook d6; pawns a6/b5/d5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh7 — king g8→h7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc2+ — queen c5→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Qg6 (queen f6→g6).
3. Best move: Qc8 — queen c2→c8. Opponent replies Qxe8 (queen g6→e8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxe8 — queen c8→e8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Qc2+.

Position data

FEN: 4R1k1/6p1/p2r1q1p/1pQp4/5P2/P5P1/1P3K2/8 b - - 7 51

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