Chess Puzzle #JiX3a — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks d8/f1; bishop f3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e6; rook f8; bishop h7; pawns a7/b7/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb3 — queen e6→b3, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook d8→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf8 (king g8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: axb3 — pawn a2→b3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, intermezzo, short. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3R1rk1/pp3ppb/4q2p/8/8/1Q3B1P/PP3PP1/5RK1 b - - 0 23

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