Chess Puzzle #2odMm — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rook c1; knight d7; pawns a3/b4/d3/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook f8; bishop d4; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf4 — rook f8→f4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
3. Best move: Rf8+ — rook c8→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f7→e7).
4. Best move: Rxf4 — rook f8→f4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, skewer. The key move is Rc8+.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/1p1N2pp/p3p3/3p4/1P1b1P2/P2P4/6PP/2R4K b - - 0 23

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