Chess Puzzle #5pXAV — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f1; rook c3; bishop b4; knight g5; pawns a3/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a2; rooks a8/d8; bishop e6; pawns a4/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bc4 — bishop e6→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc4 — rook c3→c4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxc4 (queen a2→c4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc4 — queen f1→c4, captures queen. Opponent replies Rd1+ (rook d8→d1, gives check).
4. Best move: Qf1 — queen c4→f1.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2r2k1/5p1p/4b1p1/6N1/pB2P3/P1R5/q4PPP/5QK1 b - - 2 34

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