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

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks a1/g3; knight f4; pawns b3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rooks c6/c8; bishop f5; knight a2; pawns a7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc1+ — rook c6→c1, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc1 — rook a1→c1, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc1+ (rook c8→c1, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxc1 — queen d2→c1, captures rook. Opponent replies Nxc1 (knight a2→c1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxg5 — rook g3→g5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxc1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p4ppp/2r1p3/5bq1/3P1N2/1P4R1/n2Q1PPP/R5K1 b - - 1 22

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