Chess Puzzle #0JXpf — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rook c7; bishop e2; pawns a2/b4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e6; rook e8; bishop e4; pawns a6/b5/e5/f6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook e8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c7→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc8 (queen e6→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe4 — queen e3→e4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qc1+ (queen c8→c1, gives check).
4. Best move: Bf1 — bishop e2→f1.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move Rxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/2R4p/p3qpp1/1p2p3/1P2b3/4Q3/P3BPPP/6K1 b - - 3 28

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