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

Position

White: king h1; queen e3; rook c1; pawns a3/b2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b5; rook f4; bishop d3; pawns a5/e6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook f4→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe6+ — queen e3→e6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Rc8 — rook c1→c8. Opponent replies h5 (pawn h7→h5).
4. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook c8→f8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, master. The key move Qxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/6pp/4p3/pq6/5r2/P2bQ2P/1P4P1/2R4K b - - 0 29

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