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

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rook d1; pawns d7/f2/g3. Black: king g8; queen f7; rooks d8/g6; pawns f3/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd7 — rook d8→d7, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c3→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qxd7 — queen c8→d7, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxd7 (queen f7→d7, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxd7 — rook d1→d7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, long. The key move is Qc8+.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/3P1qp1/6rp/8/8/2Q2pP1/5P2/3R2K1 b - - 0 40

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