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

Position

White: king h2; queen a7; rook c1; pawns a2/b2/d4/g2/g3/h3. Black: king d7; queen e7; rook f8; bishop c6; pawns b7/d5/e6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg5 — queen e7→g5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc6 — rook c1→c6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Kxc6 (king d7→c6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qc5+ — queen a7→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king c6→d7).
4. Best move: Qxf8 — queen c5→f8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, fork, long, pin, sacrifice. The key move Rxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/Qp1kq3/2b1p3/3p4/3P4/6PP/PP4PK/2R5 b - - 0 36

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