Chess Puzzle #jKDjV — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; queen e7; rook c7; pawns a2/b3/c6/f4/g3/h2. Black: king a8; queen b8; rook d2; knight h6; pawns a6/b7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc6 — pawn b7→c6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc6 — rook c7→c6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qb7 (queen b8→b7).
3. Best move: Qf8+ — queen e7→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Ka7 (king a8→a7).
4. Best move: Qc5+ — queen f8→c5, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move Rxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: kq6/1pR1Qppp/p1P4n/8/5P2/1P4PK/P2r3P/8 b - - 0 32

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