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

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rook f1; knight f5; pawns d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen c3; rook d2; knight f6; pawns b4/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b3 — pawn b4→b3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen f4→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Ne8 (knight f6→e8).
3. Best move: Re1 — rook f1→e1. Opponent replies Re2 (rook d2→e2).
4. Best move: Rxe2 — rook e1→e2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Qb8+.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/5pp1/5n1p/5N2/1p1P1Q2/2q4P/3r1PP1/5RK1 b - - 0 25

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