Chess Puzzle #0PRMn — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rook b1; bishops a6/g5; knight f3; pawns a3/d4/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d7; rooks b8/h8; bishop f8; knight c6; pawns b7/d5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxa6 — pawn b7→a6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb8+ — queen b3→b8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nxb8 (knight c6→b8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxb8+ — rook b1→b8, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Qc8 (queen d7→c8).
4. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook b8→c8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move Qxb8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r2kb1r/1p1q1ppp/B1n5/3pP1B1/3P4/PQ3N2/5PPP/1R4K1 b k - 0 20

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