Chess Puzzle #Gshl9 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen b1; rook e1; bishop g7; pawns a2/c2/d5/f3/g2/h2. Black: king d7; queen c3; rook h8; knight f6; pawns a7/c5/d6/e7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook h8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb7+ — queen b1→b7, gives check. Opponent replies Rc7 (rook c8→c7).
3. Best move: Rxe7+ — rook e1→e7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe7 (king d7→e7, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxc7+ — queen b7→c7, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, deflection, endgame, long. The key move Rxe7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 7r/p2kppBp/3p1np1/2pP4/8/2q2P2/P1P3PP/1Q2R2K b - - 0 19

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