Chess Puzzle #We3ff — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c7; rook c1; pawns d5/e4/g2/h2. Black: king b3; queen d4; rook b2; pawns b5/b7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe4 — queen d4→e4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc3+ — queen c7→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Ka2 (king b3→a2).
3. Best move: Qa5+ — queen c3→a5, gives check. Opponent replies Qa4 (queen e4→a4).
4. Best move: Qe1 — queen a5→e1.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Qc3+.

Position data

FEN: 8/1pQ5/7p/1p1P4/3qP3/1k6/1r4PP/2R4K b - - 0 32

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