Chess Puzzle #I1xHi — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a2; queen e4; rook e6; pawns a3/c2/g5/h2. Black: king h8; queen f7; rook d1; pawns b2/c3/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd6 — rook d1→d6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen e4→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Qg8 (queen f7→g8).
3. Best move: Qxg8+ — queen a8→g8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg8 (king h8→g8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxd6 — rook e6→d6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Qxg8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 7k/5qpp/4R3/6P1/4Q3/P1p5/KpP4P/3r4 b - - 2 41

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