Chess Puzzle #8fQ3q — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rooks a1/e8; bishop c1; pawns a2/b2/d2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen b7; rooks d6/h8; bishop f5; knights a6/g8; pawns a7/c6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook d6→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook e8→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd8 (king c8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qd4+ — queen g4→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Qd7 (queen b7→d7).
4. Best move: Qxh8 — queen d4→h8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

attraction, equality, exposed king, fork, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k1R1nr/pq5p/n1pr2p1/5b2/6Q1/8/PP1P1PPP/R1B3K1 b - - 1 15

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