Chess Puzzle #3DzZc — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen e7; rook c7; pawns a3/b4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d1; rook d8; bishop d7; pawns a7/b7/e3/e4/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exf2 — pawn e3→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen e7→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
3. Best move: Rxd7+ — rook c7→d7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd7 (queen d1→d7, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxd7+ — queen d8→d7, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, hanging piece, long. The key move Qxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/ppRbQ1pp/8/8/1P2p3/P3p2P/5PPK/3q4 b - - 1 33

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