Chess Puzzle #y1ST9 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c7; rooks c1/e1; bishop f1; knight c3; pawns b5/c4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b2; rooks a3/d8; bishop e4; knight f6; pawns b7/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd7 — rook d8→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Nxe4 — knight c3→e4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Nxe4 (knight f6→e4, captures knight).
4. Best move: Rxe4 — rook e1→e4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move is Qc8+.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/1pQ2pp1/4pn1p/1P6/2P1b3/r1N4P/1q3PP1/2R1RBK1 b - - 4 28

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