Chess Puzzle #JWrAf — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen b3; rooks d1/d7; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2. Black: king h8; queen e7; rooks e8/g4; knight h4; pawns a7/b7/e4/g5/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe6 — queen e7→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc3+ — queen b3→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Qe5 (queen e6→e5).
3. Best move: Rd8 — rook d7→d8. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h8→g7).
4. Best move: Rxe8 — rook d8→e8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, pin. The key move is Qc3+.

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/pp1Rq2p/8/6p1/4p1rn/1Q6/PP3PP1/3R1K2 b - - 1 26

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