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

Position

White: king h1; queen d7; rooks f1/f3; pawns a2/c3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c2; rooks c8/f8; pawns a6/b6/c7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa2 — queen c2→a2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf7 — rook f3→f7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxf7 (queen a2→f7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxf7 — rook f1→f7, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook f8→f7, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen d7→c8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move Qxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/2pQ1ppp/pp6/8/8/2P2R2/P1q3PP/5R1K b - - 1 23

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