Chess Puzzle #Sw31h — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f5; rook d1; knight d6; pawns b3/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a2; rook d8; pawns a5/d4/e5/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd6 — rook d8→d6, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc1 — rook d1→c1. Opponent replies Qxb3 (queen a2→b3, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qc8+ — queen f5→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d6→d8).
4. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen c8→d8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, quiet move. The key move Qxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/6pp/3N1p2/p3pQ2/3p4/1P3P2/q5PP/3R2K1 b - - 1 45

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