Chess Puzzle #ap8A4 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen c1; rook h2; bishops g2/g5; pawns f2/f4/h4. Black: king e8; queen d8; rook a3; bishop f8; knight g8; pawns b4/c6/c7/d3/f5/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d2 — pawn d3→d2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc6+ — queen c1→c6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king e8→f7).
3. Best move: Bd5+ — bishop g2→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd5 (queen d8→d5, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Qxd5+ — queen c6→d5, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move Qxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3qkbn1/2p3p1/2p5/5pBp/1p3P1P/r2p4/5PBR/2Q2K2 b - - 1 29

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