Chess Puzzle #MPYs0 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen e2; rooks a1/d7; pawns a2/c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f7; rooks c4/f8; bishop g5; pawns a5/c6/e5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf5 — queen f7→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc4+ — queen e2→c4, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qc5 — queen c4→c5. Opponent replies Be3 (bishop g5→e3).
4. Best move: Qxe3 — queen c5→e3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Qxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/3R1qp1/2p4p/p3p1b1/2r5/7P/P1P1QPP1/R4K2 b - - 1 26

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