Chess Puzzle #0US2k — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a3; rooks d1/d4; pawns f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f7; rooks a7/a8; pawns a4/e4/f5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb3 — queen f7→b3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d4→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook a8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
4. Best move: Qf8+ — queen a3→f8, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/r4q1p/6p1/5p2/p2Rp3/Q6P/5PP1/3R2K1 b - - 5 40

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