Chess Puzzle #s99gt — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen f5; rooks f6/g4; pawns a2/c2/f2/f3/h3. Black: king c5; queen d4; rooks b8/h8; pawns a7/c6/d5/e5/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf2 — queen d4→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe5 — queen f5→e5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rb1+ (rook b8→b1, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxb1 — king c1→b1, captures rook. Opponent replies Qf1+ (queen f2→f1, gives check).
4. Best move: Kb2 — king b1→b2.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Qxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r5r/p6p/2p2R2/2kppQ2/3q2R1/5P1P/P1P2P2/2K5 b - - 1 24

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