Chess Puzzle #8w9I9 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rooks e5/f1; pawns d4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks a3/g6; pawns f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc7 — queen d6→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf7 — rook f1→f7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qd6 (queen c7→d6).
3. Best move: Re8+ — rook e5→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
4. Best move: Rxg7+ — rook f7→g7, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Rxg7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5pp1/3q2rp/3QR3/3P4/r6P/6P1/5RK1 b - - 0 33

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