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

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rook c1; knight f4; pawns b2/d4/f2/f3/h2. Black: king g8; queen a2; rook d8; bishop f6; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd4 — rook d8→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d4→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook c8→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxd8 (bishop f6→d8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen d3→d8, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/pp3p2/4pb1p/8/3P1N2/3Q1P2/qP3P1P/2R3K1 b - - 2 24

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