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

Position

White: king h2; queen f8; rooks d3/f3; pawns b5/g2/h3. Black: king d7; queen d5; rooks a4/a7; bishop c3; pawns b6/c5/d4/f7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc7 — king d7→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf7+ — rook f3→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf7 (queen d5→f7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf7+ — queen f8→f7, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, short. The key move Rxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5Q2/r2k1p2/1p6/1Ppq4/r2p4/2bR1R1P/6PK/8 b - - 4 49

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