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

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rooks d1/d5; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/g2/h2. Black: king g7; queen c7; rooks c8/e7; pawns a5/b4/c5/f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe4 — rook e7→e4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd7+ — rook d5→d7, gives check. Opponent replies Kh6 (king g7→h6).
3. Best move: Rxc7 — rook d7→c7, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxc4 (rook e4→c4, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxc8 — rook c7→c8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Rd7+.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/2q1r1kp/6p1/p1pR1p2/1pQ1P3/8/PPP3PP/3R2K1 b - - 0 29

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