Chess Puzzle #QNhH7 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c5; rooks e1/f1; pawns a4/c2/f6/g2/h3. Black: king f7; queen d2; rooks e8/h5; pawns b7/c4/c7/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe1 — rook e8→e1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc7+ — queen c5→c7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king f7→e6).
3. Best move: Qe7+ — queen c7→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kd5 (king e6→d5).
4. Best move: Rxe1 — rook f1→e1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Qxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/1pp2k2/5Pp1/2Q4r/P1p5/7P/2Pq2P1/4RR1K b - - 0 32

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