Chess Puzzle #M760E — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rook c1; pawns a3/b3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; rooks a8/d8; bishops a4/d4; pawns a5/f6/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd7 — bishop a4→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd1 — rook c1→d1. Opponent replies Bb2 (bishop d4→b2).
3. Best move: Rxd7 — rook d1→d7, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxd7 (rook d8→d7, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxa8+ — queen f3→a8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, long. The key move Qxa8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2r3k/5p1p/5p2/p7/b2b4/PP3Q2/5PPP/2R3K1 b - - 0 23

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