Chess Puzzle #Rxq3d — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen e3; rook c1; knights c4/f2; pawns b4/d4/f3/g3/h4. Black: king g8; queen f5; rook a2; bishops b5/d6; pawns b7/c6/f6/g7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxb4 — bishop d6→b4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb3 — queen e3→b3. Opponent replies Bxc4 (bishop b5→c4, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxc4+ — queen b3→c4, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qd5 (queen f5→d5).
4. Best move: Qxb4 — queen c4→b4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, master, middlegame. The key move Qxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1p4p1/2pb1p2/1b3q1p/1PNP3P/4QPP1/r4NK1/2R5 b - - 0 34

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