Chess Puzzle #20Fpb — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rooks b2/b4; pawns d4/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks b8/c8; pawns e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb4 — rook b8→b4, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen c4→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen d6→f8).
3. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen c8→f8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king g8→f8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxb4 — rook b2→b4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, hanging piece, long. The key move Qxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1rr3k1/5ppp/3qp3/8/1RQP4/4P2P/1R3PP1/6K1 b - - 0 28

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