Chess Puzzle #L9eQX — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c4; rook d5; pawns a2/b5/c3/f3/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen e2; rook a8; knight d3; pawns a7/b6/f6/g5/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf2 — queen e2→f2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d5→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qxd3+ — queen c4→d3, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king h7→h6).
4. Best move: Rxa8 — rook d8→a8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered check, double check, endgame, long. The key move Qxd3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/p5p1/1p3p2/1P1R2p1/2Q5/2Pn1PPP/P3q3/7K b - - 2 36

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