Chess Puzzle #sY3EQ — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen e2; rook h6; bishop c2; knight d2; pawns a2/c3/f2/f5/g2. Black: king g8; queen f4; rooks c8/e8; bishop d5; pawns a6/d6/e4/g5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook c8→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh5 — queen e2→h5. Opponent replies Rxc2+ (rook c3→c2, captures bishop, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxc2 — king c1→c2, captures rook. Opponent replies Rc8+ (rook e8→c8, gives check).
4. Best move: Kd1 — king c2→d1.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Qh5.

Position data

FEN: 2r1r1k1/8/p2p3R/3b1Pp1/4pq2/2P5/P1BNQPP1/2K5 b - - 2 31

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