Chess Puzzle #1OEbH — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d8; rooks d1/d3; pawns f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a3; rooks c1/c8; pawns f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd8 — rook c8→d8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d3→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen a3→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook d8→f8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king g8→f8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Rxc1 — rook d1→c1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, queen rook endgame. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2rQ2k1/5ppp/8/8/8/q2R4/5PPP/2rR2K1 b - - 2 27

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