Chess Puzzle #X0hC5 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen c4; rooks b7/h1; pawns e4/f2/f3/h3. Black: king e8; queen h6; rooks a8/h8; bishop e5; pawns c5/d6/e6/g5/g7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf6 — queen h6→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb5+ — queen c4→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king e8→f8).
3. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b7→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen f6→d8).
4. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook b8→d8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/1R4p1/3pp2q/2p1b1p1/2Q1P3/5P1P/5PK1/7R b kq - 1 27

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