Chess Puzzle #7TMDa — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen d3; rooks c1/c2; knight a4; pawns a2/b3/e2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks c7/c8; bishop g7; pawns a7/d5/e6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h5 — pawn h7→h5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc7 — rook c2→c7, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc7 (rook c8→c7, captures rook).
3. Best move: b4 — pawn b3→b4. Opponent replies Qxa4 (queen a5→a4, captures knight).
4. Best move: Rxc7 — rook c1→c7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxc7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p1r2pbp/4p1p1/q2p4/N7/1P1Q2P1/P1R1PPKP/2R5 b - - 7 21

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