Chess Puzzle #iXbSU — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; queen g6; rooks a1/h1; pawns a2/f3. Black: king f8; queen c4; rooks a8/f7; bishop a5; pawns b3/c6/e6/g7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc2+ — queen c4→c2, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc2 — queen g6→c2, captures queen. Opponent replies bxc2 (pawn b3→c2, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h1→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
4. Best move: Rxa8 — rook h8→a8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, long, middlegame, skewer. The key move Qxc2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4k2/5rp1/2p1p1Q1/b7/2q5/1p3P2/PK6/R6R b - - 5 31

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