Chess Puzzle #XBmc7 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rook c1; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f7; queen b7; rook d8; bishop d5; pawns a7/f6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd7 — queen b7→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc7 — rook c1→c7. Opponent replies Qxc7 (queen d7→c7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxh7+ — queen h4→h7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king f7→e6).
4. Best move: Qxc7 — queen h7→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, pin, sacrifice, skewer. The key move Qxh7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/pq3k1p/5p2/3b4/7Q/8/PP3PPP/2R3K1 b - - 0 24

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