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

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; rooks d3/f1; pawns b2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king a8; queen a2; rooks c8/e8; pawns a7/b6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb2 — queen a2→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf3+ — queen g3→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king a8→b8).
3. Best move: Rd7 — rook d3→d7. Opponent replies Rc7 (rook c8→c7).
4. Best move: Rxc7 — rook d7→c7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Qf3+.

Position data

FEN: k1r1r3/p4p1p/1p4p1/8/8/3R2QP/qP3PP1/5RK1 b - - 1 26

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