Chess Puzzle #1CSOZ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen a3; rooks c4/g4; pawns a2/b2/d5/f5/h2. Black: king b7; queen c7; rooks c8/h8; bishop f6; pawns a6/d6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc4 — queen c7→c4, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc4 — rook g4→c4, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxc4 (rook c8→c4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qb3+ — queen a3→b3, gives check. Opponent replies Ka7 (king b7→a7).
4. Best move: Qxc4 — queen b3→c4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, endgame, fork, long. The key move Rxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r4r/1kq2ppp/p2p1b2/3P1P2/2R3R1/Q7/PP5P/1K6 b - - 0 25

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