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

Position

White: king h1; queen b7; rooks a1/d1; bishop e3; pawns a2/b2/f4/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d8; rooks a8/d6; bishop d4; pawns a7/e4/f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb8 — rook a8→b8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxd4+ — bishop e3→d4, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd4 (rook d6→d4, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Rxd4 — rook d1→d4, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxb7 (rook b8→b7, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d4→d8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Bxd4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2q3k/pQ5p/3r2p1/5p2/3bpP2/4B3/PP4PP/R2R3K b - - 3 25

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