Chess Puzzle #7WIDh — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; rooks c1/f1; bishops d2/g2; knight h4; pawns d3/e2/g3/h2. Black: king e8; queen b6; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/d6; knight f6; pawns b7/d5/e6/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ng4 — knight f6→g4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook a8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qa4+ — queen d1→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Rc6 (rook c8→c6).
4. Best move: Qxg4 — queen a4→g4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, master, opening, sacrifice. The key move Rxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b1k2r/1p3pp1/1q1bpn2/3p4/7N/3P2P1/3BP1BP/2RQ1R1K b kq - 3 19

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