Chess Puzzle #40LTM — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rooks c1/c8; pawns a2/b3/f2/h5. Black: king g8; queen d5; rook d8; bishop g2; pawns a7/b6/d3/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc8 — rook d8→c8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qb8 — queen f4→b8. Opponent replies Qxh5 (queen d5→h5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Rh8+ — rook c8→h8, gives check.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2Rr2k1/p4pp1/1p5p/3q3P/5Q2/1P1p4/P4Pb1/2R3K1 b - - 1 27

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