Chess Puzzle #0QS8v — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h7; rook b1; pawns a3/e3/f2/g3. Black: king e7; queen e5; rook b8; bishop a6; pawns a7/c3/d5/e6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf8 — king e7→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxb8+ — rook b1→b8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxb8 (queen e5→b8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h7→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
4. Best move: Qxb8 — queen h8→b8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long, skewer. The key move Rxb8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/p3k2Q/b3p3/3pq3/8/P1p1P1P1/5P2/1R4K1 b - - 4 30

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