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

Position

White: king e3; queen f5; rook a1; bishop f4; pawns a4/b2/c3. Black: king c8; queen g2; rooks d7/g1; pawns a6/b7/c5/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg6 — queen g2→g6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc5+ — queen f5→c5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qc6 (queen g6→c6).
3. Best move: Qxc6+ — queen c5→c6, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies bxc6 (pawn b7→c6, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxg1 — rook a1→g1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move Qxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/1p1r3p/p7/2p2Q2/P4B2/2P1K3/1P4q1/R5r1 b - - 3 29

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