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

Position

White: king g1; queen g6; rooks c1/e1; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/g3. Black: king h8; queen a6; rooks d8/e7; pawns a7/b7/f6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Red7 — rook e7→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re8+ — rook e1→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen g6→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→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: 3r3k/pp2r1p1/q4pQp/8/8/6P1/PP3PP1/2R1R1K1 b - - 2 28

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