Chess Puzzle #G3lLk — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h6; rooks d1/d5; pawns a2/b3/c2/e6/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks a8/f6; knight c6; pawns a6/b5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook a8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d5→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nxd8 (knight c6→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rd7 — rook d1→d7. Opponent replies Rxe6 (rook f6→e6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Rxe7 — rook d7→e7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/4q2p/p1n1PrpQ/1p1R4/8/1P6/P1P2PPP/3R2K1 b - - 2 25

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