Chess Puzzle #12C7p — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen g3; rooks a7/e1; pawns c4/e3/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen c3; rooks d3/d8; pawns b6/e4/e6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: R3d7 — rook d3→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd7 — rook a7→d7, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxd7 (rook d8→d7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qb8+ — queen g3→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
4. Best move: Rf1+ — rook e1→f1, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Rxd7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/R5pp/1p2p3/8/2P1p2P/2qrP1Q1/6PK/4R3 b - - 7 32

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