Chess Puzzle #7Vgca — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen b7; rooks f1/f7; pawns a3/c2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks a8/f8; pawns a7/b6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa8+ — queen b7→a8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Rxf7 — rook f1→f7, captures rook. Opponent replies Qe1+ (queen e5→e1, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh2 — king h1→h2.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, hanging piece, long. The key move Qxa8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/pQ3Rp1/1p5p/4q3/8/P6P/2P3P1/5R1K b - - 0 28

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