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

Position

White: king h2; queen f3; rooks d1/e6; pawns a4/c2/c3/f4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c5; rooks a8/d8; pawns a5/b6/c7/f5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd1 — rook d8→d1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa8+ — queen f3→a8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qe8 — queen a8→e8. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d1→d8).
4. Best move: Qxd8 — queen e8→d8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, hanging piece, long, quiet move. The key move Qxa8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2r2k1/2p3p1/1p2R2p/p1q2p2/P4P2/2P2Q1P/2P3PK/3R4 b - - 0 24

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