Chess Puzzle #7c5FR — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen b7; rooks d1/h1; bishop f4; pawns a2/b2/c3/d3/f2/g3/h3. Black: king d7; queen a5; rooks a8/g8; bishop c7; pawns a7/b6/c6/e6/f5/f7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rgc8 — rook g8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxc7 — bishop f4→c7, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxc7 (rook c8→c7, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxa8 — queen b7→a8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rc8 (rook c7→c8).
4. Best move: Qb7+ — queen a8→b7, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Bxc7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5r1/pQbk1p2/1pp1p3/q4p1p/5B2/2PP2PP/PP3P2/2KR3R b - - 7 22

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