Chess Puzzle #mTP03 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; queen e6; rook g1; pawns a2/b2/c3/e4/h2. Black: king g5; queen h3; rook d7; pawns a7/c7/e5/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf4 — king g5→f4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd7 — queen e6→d7, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxh2+ (queen h3→h2, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Qd2+ — queen d7→d2, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd2+ (queen h2→d2, captures queen, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxd2 — king c2→d2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Qxd7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/p1pr2pp/4Q3/4ppk1/4P3/2P4q/PPK4P/6R1 b - - 1 31

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