Chess Puzzle #3EQia — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks c2/f1; knight d4; pawns a2/b5/c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a4; rooks c4/c8; knight e7; pawns a7/b6/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook c4→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc3 — rook c2→c3, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxd1 (queen a4→d1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c3→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nxc8 (knight e7→c8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Rxd1 — rook f1→d1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p3nppp/1p2p3/1P1p4/q1rN4/2P4P/P1R2PP1/3Q1RK1 b - - 0 23

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