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

Position

White: king f3; queen b2; rooks c1/c4; bishop e4; pawns d3/e5/f4/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks a3/b8; bishop e7; pawns b4/d4/e3/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra2 — rook a3→a2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c4→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook b8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop e7→f8).
4. Best move: Qxd4 — queen b2→d4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/4bpp1/4p2p/q3P3/1pRpBPP1/r2PpK1P/1Q6/2R5 b - - 12 37

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