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

Position

White: king a1; queen b2; rooks b1/c1; pawns a2/d4/e3/f2/g3/h4. Black: king b8; queen a5; rooks d3/h8; pawns a7/b6/d5/d6/e6/f5/f7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook h8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc8 (king b8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rc1+ — rook b1→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king c8→d7).
4. Best move: Qc2 — queen b2→c2.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1k5r/p4p2/1p1pp3/q2p1p2/3P3P/3rP1P1/PQ3P2/KRR5 b - - 1 28

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