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

Position

White: king g1; queen a3; rooks c1/f1; pawns a2/e3/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks b2/d8; bishop b8; pawns e4/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rdd2 — rook d8→d2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d2→d8).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook c8→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd8 (queen f6→d8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxb2 — queen a3→b2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1b1r2k1/5p1p/5qp1/8/4pP2/Q3P1P1/Pr5P/2R2RK1 b - - 2 24

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