Chess Puzzle #6OXz3 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f3; rook f5; bishop g7; pawns b4/d6/g4/h3. Black: king c4; rook d1; knight a3; pawns a6/b7/e3/g5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc2 — knight a3→c2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc5+ — rook f5→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kb3 (king c4→b3).
3. Best move: Rc3+ — rook c5→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Ka4 (king b3→a4).
4. Best move: Rxc2 — rook c3→c2, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, long. The key move is Rc5+.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p4B1/p2P4/5Rp1/1Pk3P1/n3pK1P/8/3r4 b - - 4 41

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