Chess Puzzle #Ira8d — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rooks d7/e1; bishop e6; pawns a2/f2/g3/h5. Black: king h8; queen a5; rooks b2/f8; bishop d6; pawns a4/e7/f5/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb4 — rook b2→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc3+ — queen e3→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Be5 (bishop d6→e5).
3. Best move: Qxe5+ — queen c3→e5, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe5 (queen a5→e5, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxe5 — rook e1→e5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move Qxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/3Rp3/3bB2p/q4ppP/p7/4Q1P1/Pr3P2/4R1K1 b - - 3 33

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