Chess Puzzle #37IZ7 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen d6; rook b6; pawns b5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d2; rook f8; pawns d5/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf2 — queen d2→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8 — rook b6→b8. Opponent replies Rxb8 (rook f8→b8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxb8+ — queen d6→b8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
4. Best move: b6 — pawn b5→b6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Qxb8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/5p1p/1R1Qp1p1/1P1p4/8/7P/3q1PPK/8 b - - 0 37

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