Chess Puzzle #3lz0O — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rooks d1/e4; pawns a2/b2/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks d7/d8; pawns a7/b7/e5/f7/g6/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exd4 — pawn e5→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e4→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen e3→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
4. Best move: Qxd7 — queen e8→d7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move Qxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/pp1r1pp1/5qp1/4p3/3PR3/4Q3/PP3PPP/3R2K1 b - - 1 29

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