Chess Puzzle #pgJl8 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen d4; rooks d1/h1; knight g5; pawns a2/b2/c3/e3/e6/f2/g2/h4. Black: king h8; queen e7; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knight a5; pawns a7/b7/c7/e4/f5/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf6 — rook f8→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd8+ — queen d4→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd8 (queen e7→d8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king h8→g7).
4. Best move: e7 — pawn e6→e7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, exposed king, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b2r1k/ppp1q3/4P1p1/n4pNp/3Qp2P/2P1P3/PP3PP1/2KR3R b - - 2 20

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