Chess Puzzle #48FTI — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; queen h4; rook h1; knight g1; pawns b3/c2/c5/d6/f3/g2/h2. Black: king d7; queen b2; rooks a8/b8; pawns d5/e6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra2 — rook a8→a2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe7+ — queen h4→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kc6 (king d7→c6).
3. Best move: Qc7+ — queen e7→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Kb5 (king c6→b5).
4. Best move: Qxb8+ — queen c7→b8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move Qxb8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rr6/3k1p1p/3Pp1p1/2Pp4/7Q/1P3P2/1qPK2PP/6NR b - - 2 23

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