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

Position

White: king c2; queen c7; rook h1; pawns a5/b2/c3. Black: king e7; queen e6; rooks b8/h8; bishop f8; pawns d5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 8 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kf6 — king e7→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rf1+ — rook h1→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Qf5+ (queen e6→f5, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxf5+ — rook f1→f5, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf5 (king f6→f5, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxb8 — queen c7→b8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move Rxf5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r3b1r/2Q1k1pp/4q3/P2p4/8/2P5/1PK5/7R b - - 1 34

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