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

Position

White: king e3; queen c4; rooks a1/e4; pawns a2/b2/c3. Black: king g7; queen e8; rooks b8/g2; pawns a7/b7/c5/f6/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc6 — queen e8→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Re7+ — rook e4→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g7→h8).
3. Best move: Qf4 — queen c4→f4. Opponent replies Qd5 (queen c6→d5).
4. Best move: Qxb8+ — queen f4→b8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

clearance, crushing, endgame, long. The key move Qxb8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r2q3/pp4k1/5p2/2p4p/2Q1R3/2P1K3/PP4r1/R7 b - - 5 29

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