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

Position

White: king c1; queen b3; rook d1; bishop b4; pawns a3/b2/c2/e4/g3. Black: king c8; queen f2; rook h2; knight d7; pawns b7/d6/e5/f3/f6/g4/g5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe2 — queen f2→e2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxd6 — bishop b4→d6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxc2+ (queen e2→c2, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxc2+ — queen b3→c2, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc2+ (rook h2→c2, captures queen, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxc2 — king c1→c2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Qxc2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/1p1n4/3p1p2/4p1p1/1B2P1p1/PQ3pP1/1PP2q1r/2KR4 b - - 1 29

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