Chess Puzzle #3KSYQ — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; queen g4; rooks a1/e1; bishop b3; pawns a2/h5. Black: king g8; queen f7; rooks f2/f8; bishop b2; pawns a6/b7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf3+ — rook f2→f3, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf3 — queen g4→f3, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxb3 (queen f7→b3, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxb3+ — queen f3→b3, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Qxb3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/1p3qp1/p6p/7P/6Q1/1B5K/Pb3r2/R3R3 b - - 1 30

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