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

Position

White: king h3; queen c4; rook a7; pawns b2/b7/e4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d2; rook b8; bishop g7; pawns d3/e7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb2 — queen d2→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c4→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook b8→c8, captures queen).
3. Best move: bxc8=Q+ — pawn b7→c8, captures rook, promotes to queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, endgame, equality, promotion, short. The key move bxc8=Q+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/RP2ppbp/6p1/8/2Q1P3/3p2PK/1P1q3P/8 b - - 1 29

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