Chess Puzzle #160fN — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; queen c2; rook d2; knight a4; pawns a2/b3/c3/f3/g2/g3. Black: king a8; queen e8; rook e1; bishop g7; pawns a6/b7/c7/f5/g5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc6 — queen e8→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d2→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Ka7 (king a8→a7).
3. Best move: Qf2+ — queen c2→f2, gives check. Opponent replies b6 (pawn b7→b6).
4. Best move: Qxe1 — queen f2→e1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Rd8+.

Position data

FEN: k3q3/1pp3b1/p6p/5pp1/N7/1PP2PP1/PKQR2P1/4r3 b - - 4 36

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