Chess Puzzle #x8wvd — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e3; rook g1; knight h5; pawns a2/f4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b2; rook d8; bishop d5; pawns a6/e6/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa2 — queen b2→a2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc3 — queen e3→c3. Opponent replies Bxg2+ (bishop d5→g2, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxg2 — rook g1→g2, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rd1+ (rook d8→d1, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh2 — king h1→h2.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Qc3.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/6pp/p3p3/3b1p1N/5P2/4Q2P/Pq4P1/6RK b - - 0 30

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