Chess Puzzle #1ou25 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks e1/f8; knight c6; pawns a2/b4/c4/d5/g2/h2. Black: king b7; queen g6; rook d7; knight c8; pawns a7/b6/c7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc2 — queen g6→c2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8 — rook f8→c8, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxc4 (queen c2→c4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rb8+ — rook c8→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Ka6 (king b7→a6).
4. Best move: a4 — pawn a2→a4.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move Rxc8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2n2R2/pkpr1ppp/1pN3q1/3P4/1PP5/8/P5PP/4R1K1 b - - 0 25

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