Chess Puzzle #bHC0f — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen c5; rooks d1/e1; pawns b2/c3/e6/f5/g3/h2. Black: king f6; queen a2; rooks a8/e7; knight g4; pawns a7/c6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb8 — rook a8→b8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd4+ — queen c5→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg5 (king f6→g5).
3. Best move: Qf4+ — queen d4→f4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh5 (king g5→h5).
4. Best move: Qxb8 — queen f4→b8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, exposed king, fork, long, middlegame. The key move is Qd4+.

Position data

FEN: r7/p3r2p/2p1Pk2/2Q2P2/6n1/2P3P1/qP5P/2KRR3 b - - 0 27

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