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

Position

White: king c1; queen d5; rook h6; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/e3/f3/g5. Black: king b8; queen e7; rook f8; bishop c7; pawns a7/b4/b7/e5/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf7 — queen e7→f7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7 — queen d5→f7, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook f8→f7, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rh8+ — rook h6→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Bd8 (bishop c7→d8).
4. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook h8→d8, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k3r2/ppb1q3/6pR/3Qp1P1/1p6/3PPP2/PPP5/2K5 b - - 2 23

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