Chess Puzzle #578LX — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rook f1; pawns a2/c3/d4/e3/f2/g3/h4. Black: king g8; queen a6; rook b2; pawns a5/c6/d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa2 — rook b2→a2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen f4→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qb1+ — queen b8→b1, gives check. Opponent replies f5 (pawn f7→f5).
4. Best move: Qxa2 — queen b1→a2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Qb8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5pp1/q1p1p2p/p2p4/3P1Q1P/2P1P1P1/Pr3P2/5RK1 b - - 0 29

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