Chess Puzzle #1xIoJ — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c6; rooks a1/e1; knight g3; pawns a4/c3/d3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen a7; rooks g6/g8; bishop d6; pawns a6/c7/f4/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: fxg3 — pawn f4→g3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook g8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen c6→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kb7 (king c8→b7).
4. Best move: Rb1+ — rook a1→b1, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, queenside attack. The key move Qxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k3r1/q1p4p/p1Qb2r1/8/P4p2/2PP2N1/5PPP/R3R1K1 b - - 0 25

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