Chess Puzzle #kU3Bh — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen c2; rook a5; knight c6; pawns c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e1; rooks d3/d7; pawns c4/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd2 — rook d3→d2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a5→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d7→d8).
3. Best move: Qxd2 — queen c2→d2, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxd2 (queen e1→d2, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook a8→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd8 (queen d2→d8, captures rook).
5. Best move: Nxd8 — knight c6→d8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, pin, very long. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/3r1pp1/2N1p2p/R7/2p5/2Pr3P/2Q2PPK/4q3 b - - 0 31

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