Chess Puzzle #VDSqU — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f2; rooks d1/d7; pawns a2/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c3; rooks a8/c8; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc2 — queen c3→c2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d7→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Qxc2 — queen f2→c2, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxc2 (rook c8→c2, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxa8 — rook d8→a8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move is Rd8+.

Position data

FEN: r1r3k1/3R1p1p/p3p1p1/1p6/4P3/2q2P2/P4QPP/3R3K b - - 1 26

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