Chess Puzzle #80BjT — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rook d1; bishops c4/g5; pawns a2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks d8/e8; bishop g6; pawns a7/c5/d4/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxc3 — pawn d4→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd8 — queen d2→d8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook e8→d8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd8 (queen f6→d8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Bxd8 — bishop g5→d8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, X-ray attack. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3rr1k1/p4ppp/5qb1/2p3B1/2Bp4/2P5/P2Q1PPP/3R2K1 b - - 3 22

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