Chess Puzzle #Iht0B — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; queen c3; rooks e1/e6; bishop b5; pawns a2/b2/d4/f5/h3. Black: king c7; queen f7; rooks d8/e8; knights e7/f6; pawns a7/b6/c6/d5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd6 — rook d8→d6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd6 — rook e6→d6, captures rook. Opponent replies Kxd6 (king c7→d6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qa3+ — queen c3→a3, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king d6→c7).
4. Best move: Qxa7+ — queen a3→a7, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Qxa7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3rr3/p1k1nqp1/1pp1Rn1p/1B1p1P2/3P4/2Q4P/PP1K4/4R3 b - - 3 27

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