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

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rooks d1/d7; pawns b2/c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks f8/g5; pawns a5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxh3 — queen h4→h3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8 — rook d7→d8. Opponent replies g6 (pawn g7→g6).
3. Best move: Qa8 — queen b7→a8. Opponent replies Rxg2+ (rook g5→g2, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxg2 — queen a8→g2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/1Q1R1ppp/4p3/p5r1/7q/2P4P/1P3PP1/3R2K1 b - - 5 27

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