Chess Puzzle #qAEQ2 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen h6; rooks a1/h1; bishop c1; knight g5; pawns a2/c3/d4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c4; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knight d7; pawns a7/b7/e6/f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc3+ — queen c4→c3, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bd2 — bishop c1→d2. Opponent replies Qxa1+ (queen c3→a1, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Ke2 — king e1→e2. Opponent replies Rf7 (rook f8→f7).
4. Best move: Rxa1 — rook h1→a1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, discovered attack, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move is Bd2.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/pp1n3p/4p1pQ/5pN1/2qP4/2P2P2/P5PP/R1B1K2R b KQ - 1 16

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