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

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rook d2; knight c6; pawns a2/b3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f8; rook c8; bishop g7; pawns a5/c7/f5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe8 — queen f8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc8 — queen b7→c8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc8 (queen e8→c8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Ne7+ — knight c6→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
4. Best move: Nxc8 — knight e7→c8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, fork, long, pin, sacrifice. The key move Qxc8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2qk1/1Qp2pbp/2N3p1/p4p2/8/1P6/P2R1PPP/6K1 b - - 0 23

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