Chess Puzzle #8Dtjc — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rooks b1/b4; bishop e3; knight c1; pawns a4/c5/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rook b8; bishop e7; knight g6; pawns a5/c6/d4/e5/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxc3 — pawn d4→c3, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxb8+ — rook b4→b8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop e7→f8).
3. Best move: R1b7 — rook b1→b7. Opponent replies Qxb8 (queen c7→b8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Rxb8 — rook b7→b8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, trapped piece. The key move Rxb8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/2q1b1pp/2p2pn1/p1P1p3/PR1p4/2Q1BP2/6PP/1RN3K1 b - - 0 28

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