Chess Puzzle #3Q8M7 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen c5; rooks d1/e1; pawns a3/b2/c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king b8; queen f7; rooks d8/h8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rhe8 — rook h8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook e8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Re7 — rook e1→e7. Opponent replies Qxe7 (queen f7→e7, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxe7 — queen c5→e7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, queenside attack. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r3r/ppp2qpp/8/2Q2p2/8/P6P/1PP2PP1/2KRR3 b - - 4 24

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