Chess Puzzle #11JKi — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen h7; rooks d4/h1; knight e4; pawns c4/d5/f3/g3. Black: king f8; queen b2; rooks b3/d8; pawns a6/c5/e7/f7/g6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd4 — queen b2→d4, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h7→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Qxh8 (queen d4→h8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxh8+ — rook h1→h8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king f8→g7).
4. Best move: Rxd8 — rook h8→d8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r1k2/4pp1Q/p5p1/2pP4/2PRN3/1r3PP1/1q6/5K1R b - - 0 27

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