Chess Puzzle #ihaP1 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen a4; rooks d1/e8; pawns a3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b2; rooks d7/d8; pawns a7/b7/d2/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh7 — king g8→h7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8 — rook e8→d8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook d7→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qh4+ — queen a4→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king h7→g6).
4. Best move: Qxd8 — queen h4→d8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move Rxd8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3rR1k1/pp1r1pp1/8/8/Q7/P7/1q1p1PPP/3R1K2 b - - 1 30

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