Chess Puzzle #375PM — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks d1/d8; bishop h3; pawns a4/b2/c2/f2/g2. Black: king b8; queen c4; rook h8; bishop f4; pawns a7/b7/e3/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd8 — rook h8→d8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king b8→c7).
3. Best move: Rc8+ — rook d8→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king c7→d6).
4. Best move: Rxc4 — rook c8→c4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, skewer. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k1R3r/pp5p/6p1/8/P1q2b2/4p2B/1PP2PP1/3R2K1 b - - 1 26

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