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

Position

White: king c1; queen h3; rook h1; bishop e2; pawns c2/d3/g2/g4. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks b2/d8; pawns a7/c6/c7/f7/g5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf8 — king g8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h3→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Qxh8 (queen f6→h8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxh8+ — rook h1→h8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
4. Best move: Rxd8 — rook h8→d8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move Rxh8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/p1p2p2/2p2q2/6p1/6P1/3P3Q/1rP1B1P1/2K4R b - - 1 26

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