Chess Puzzle #CuxO8 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen b5; rook e3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2. Black: king h8; queen f8; rook h7; bishop e5; pawns f6/g5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb8 — queen f8→b8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb8+ — queen b5→b8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Bxb8 (bishop e5→b8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Re8+ — rook e3→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h8→g7).
4. Best move: Rxb8 — rook e8→b8, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, exposed king, fork, long. The key move Qxb8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5q1k/7r/5p2/1Q2b1p1/8/4R3/PP3PP1/5K2 b - - 3 41

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