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

Position

White: king a2; queen d3; rooks d1/g1; pawns c3/c4/h5. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks b3/f8; pawns a3/c5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfb8 — rook f8→b8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d3→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen e5→e8).
3. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen d8→e8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook b8→e8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Kxb3 — king a2→b3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move Qxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/5ppp/8/2p1q2P/2P5/prPQ4/K7/3R2R1 b - - 1 29

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