Chess Puzzle #2AfQJ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen a2; rooks d1/d5; bishop b3; pawns b4/f3/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen c7; rooks d8/f8; bishop d7; pawns a7/b7/e5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be6 — bishop d7→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8 — rook d5→d8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook f8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd8 (queen c7→d8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Bxe6 — bishop b3→e6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r1r1k/ppqb2p1/7p/3Rp3/1P6/1B3P1P/Q5P1/3R3K b - - 0 36

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