Chess Puzzle #do9B5 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen e5; rook c1; knight d5; pawns a2/b3/d3/d7/e4/h3. Black: king d8; queen b4; rooks b8/g2; knight e7; pawns a7/c6/g3/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd5 — knight e7→d5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e5→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king d8→c7).
3. Best move: Rxc6+ — rook c1→c6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kb7 (king c7→b7).
4. Best move: Qxb8+ — queen e8→b8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move Rxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r1k4/p2Pn2p/2p5/3NQ3/1q2P3/1P1P2pP/P5r1/1KR5 b - - 1 27

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