Chess Puzzle #PC46R — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks a1/e2; knight d7; pawns a2/c4/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a6; rooks a8/e8; knight b8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe2 — rook e8→e2, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe2 — queen c2→e2, captures rook. Opponent replies Nxd7 (knight b8→d7, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qg4+ — queen e2→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
4. Best move: Qxd7 — queen g4→d7, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Qxe2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: rn2r1k1/pppN3p/q4p2/8/2PP4/8/P1Q1RPPP/R5K1 b - - 0 18

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