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

Position

White: king g1; queen d7; rook d2; pawns a5/b4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen c2; rook c8; bishop g7; pawns a7/e4/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc7 — queen c2→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc7 — queen d7→c7, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxc7 (rook c8→c7, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d2→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop g7→f8).
4. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook d8→f8, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, endgame, long. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r4k/p2Q2bp/6p1/P7/1P2p3/7P/2qR1PP1/6K1 b - - 3 28

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