Chess Puzzle #3RRVw — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; rooks e1/e4; knight b3; pawns c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen b2; rooks d8/h8; bishop f6; pawns a7/b6/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc3 — queen b2→c3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc3+ — queen g3→c3, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc3 (bishop f6→c3, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rc4+ — rook e4→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kb7 (king c8→b7).
4. Best move: Rxc3 — rook c4→c3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Qxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/p4pp1/1p2pb1p/8/4R3/1N4Q1/1qP2PPP/4R1K1 b - - 1 25

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