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

Position

White: king e3; queen h6; rooks d1/h1; pawns a2/e2/g3. Black: king g8; queen b4; rooks a8/e8; bishop c8; pawns a7/c6/e5/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc3+ — queen b4→c3, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd3 — rook d1→d3. Opponent replies Qc5+ (queen c3→c5, gives check).
3. Best move: Kd2 — king e3→d2. Opponent replies Bh3 (bishop c8→h3).
4. Best move: Rxh3 — rook h1→h3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Rd3.

Position data

FEN: r1b1r1k1/p4p2/2p3pQ/4p3/1q6/4K1P1/P3P3/3R3R b - - 3 24

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