Chess Puzzle #3Vwax — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen b3; rooks c1/h1; pawns a2/b2/h4. Black: king g7; queen d2; rooks f2/f8; pawns c7/e6/f7/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook f8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rhd1 — rook h1→d1. Opponent replies Qxb2+ (queen d2→b2, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxb2+ — queen b3→b2, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Rxb2+ (rook f2→b2, captures queen, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxb2 — king b1→b2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move Qxb2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/2p2pk1/4p1p1/7p/7P/1Q6/PP1q1r2/1KR4R b - - 8 34

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