Chess Puzzle #yK8ma — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen c6; rooks d1/h1; bishop d3; pawns a2/c2/c4/f2/g2. Black: king g8; queen a3; rooks a8/f8; bishop e6; pawns a7/b5/e5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc4 — bishop e6→c4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxc4+ — bishop d3→c4, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies bxc4 (pawn b5→c4, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qd5+ — queen c6→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Rf7 (rook f8→f7).
4. Best move: Qxa8+ — queen d5→a8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, long, middlegame. The key move Bxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/p6p/2Q1b1p1/1p2p3/2P5/q2B4/P1P2PP1/1K1R3R b - - 0 21

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