Chess Puzzle #5JJWE — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b2; rooks c3/e1; pawns a4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen c6; rooks c5/c8; pawns b6/c4/f7/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg5 — rook c5→g5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc4+ — rook c3→c4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qf6 (queen c6→f6).
3. Best move: Qxf6+ — queen b2→f6, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf6 (king g7→f6, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxc8 — rook c4→c8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, discovered check, endgame, long. The key move Rxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/5pk1/1pq3pp/2r5/P1p5/2R4P/1Q3PP1/4R1K1 b - - 3 31

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