Chess Puzzle #RHBBv — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f6; rooks d1/f1; knight f3; pawns a3/b4/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen e3; rooks a8/g7; bishop b7; pawns a7/b6/f7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg8 — rook a8→g8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8 — rook d1→d8. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook g8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen f6→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rg8 (rook g7→g8).
4. Best move: Qf6+ — queen d8→f6, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move Qxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r6k/pb3prp/1p3Q2/8/1P6/P3qN1P/6PK/3R1R2 b - - 1 24

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