Chess Puzzle #jaQ3s — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen a3; rooks c1/c8; bishop b1; pawns a2/b2/d5/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen f2; rooks a8/g8; knight f3; pawns a6/d6/e4/f5/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg7 — king f8→g7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa8 — rook c8→a8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxa8 (rook g8→a8, captures rook).
3. Best move: gxf3 — pawn g2→f3, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxf3+ (queen f2→f3, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxf3 — queen a3→f3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxa8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1R2kr1/5p1p/p2p4/3P1p2/4p3/Q4n2/PP3qPP/1BR4K b - - 1 25

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