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

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rooks a7/d2; pawns f2/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen c3; rooks f3/f8; pawns b5/e4/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e3 — pawn e4→e3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf3 — queen d5→f3, captures rook. Opponent replies exf2+ (pawn e3→f2, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxf2 — rook d2→f2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxf3 (queen c3→f3, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf3 — rook f2→f3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Qxf3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/R5pp/8/1p1Q4/4p3/2q2rP1/3R1P1P/6K1 b - - 0 31

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