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

Position

White: king g1; queen e6; rooks c6/d1; pawns a2/b2/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen g7; rooks c8/f8; knight d5; pawns a6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf4 — knight d5→f4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc8 — queen e6→c8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qf7 (queen g7→f7).
3. Best move: Qg4 — queen c8→g4. Opponent replies h5 (pawn h7→h5).
4. Best move: Qf3 — queen g4→f3. Opponent replies Nh3+ (knight f4→h3, gives check).
5. Best move: Kf1 — king g1→f1.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, middlegame, very long. The key move Qxc8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2r1k/6qp/p1R1Q1p1/3n4/3P4/8/PP3PPP/3R2K1 b - - 0 23

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