Chess Puzzle #8dLdG — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen h8; rooks b3/h1; pawns a2/c3. Black: king f8; queen f6; rooks d8/e2; pawns a3/c6/f4/g6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxh8 — queen f6→h8, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxh8+ — rook h1→h8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
3. Best move: Rb7+ — rook b3→b7, gives check. Opponent replies Rd7 (rook d8→d7).
4. Best move: Rh7+ — rook h8→h7, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move Rxh8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r1k1Q/8/2p2qp1/8/5p2/pRP5/P3r3/1K5R b - - 3 40

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