Chess Puzzle #8zrJt — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen b4; rooks c1/e3; pawns b5/e6/g2/h3. Black: king e8; queen b6; rooks b7/d5; pawns f5/f6/g6/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb5 — queen b6→b5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d5→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook c8→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd8 (king e8→d8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qf8+ — queen b4→f8, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4k3/1r4p1/1q2Ppp1/1P1r1p2/1Q6/4R2P/5KP1/2R5 b - - 1 43

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