Chess Puzzle #1Jzta — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b6; rook c8; bishop f1; pawns d3/e4/f2/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen e7; rook a4; bishop f8; knight b4; pawns d4/e5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra7 — rook a4→a7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook c8→f8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king g8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qb8+ — queen b6→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen e7→e8).
4. Best move: Qxa7 — queen b8→a7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

attraction, deflection, equality, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2R2bk1/4qppp/1Q6/4p3/rn1pP3/3P2PP/5P2/5BK1 b - - 0 39

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