Chess Puzzle #XVdXM — Master, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king b1; queen g7; rook c4; pawns a2/b3/c2/f3. Black: king c6; queen f5; rooks b8/d7; pawn g6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kb5 — king c6→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc3 — queen g7→c3. Opponent replies Ka6 (king b5→a6).
3. Best move: Rc5 — rook c4→c5. Opponent replies Qxc5 (queen f5→c5, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxc5 — queen c3→c5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, quiet move. The key move is Qc3.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/3r2Q1/2k3p1/5q2/2R5/1P3P2/P1P5/1K6 b - - 3 40

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