Chess Puzzle #X9dOI — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f3; queen c5; rook d8; pawns a2/c3/d4/g3/h3. Black: king b7; queen b2; rook h6; pawns a6/c7/e6/f5/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxh3 — rook h6→h3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: d5 — pawn d4→d5. Opponent replies Qb6 (queen b2→b6).
3. Best move: Qxb6+ — queen c5→b6, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb6 (king b7→b6, captures queen).
4. Best move: dxe6 — pawn d5→e6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Qxb6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3R4/1kp4p/p3p2r/2Q2p2/3P4/2P2KPP/Pq6/8 b - - 1 40

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