Chess Puzzle #CjtVt — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e7; rook c8; bishop f3; pawns b3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen b6; rook b2; bishop g6; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb3 — rook b2→b3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf8 — queen e7→f8. Opponent replies Rb1+ (rook b3→b1, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh2 — king g1→h2. Opponent replies Qc7+ (queen b6→c7, gives check).
4. Best move: Rxc7 — rook c8→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Qf8.

Position data

FEN: 2R5/pp2Qppk/1q2p1bp/3p4/8/1P3B1P/1r3PP1/6K1 b - - 3 32

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