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

Position

White: king g1; rooks c1/c5; pawns a2/b2/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rook d8; bishops d5/g7; pawns a7/b7/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxd4 — bishop g7→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8 — rook c5→c8. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook d8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
4. Best move: Rd8 — rook c8→d8.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/pp3pbp/6p1/2Rb4/3P4/8/PP3PPP/2R3K1 b - - 3 23

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