Chess Puzzle #9DPwy — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; queen a3; rooks c1/d1; pawns a2/g5/h4. Black: king f8; queen d2; rook c8; bishop e4; knight c5; pawns a6/e5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe2 — queen d2→e2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc5 — rook c1→c5, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxd1+ (queen e2→d1, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c5→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
4. Best move: Rxd1 — rook c1→d1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, discovered check, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxc5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2k2/5ppp/p7/2n1p1P1/4b2P/Q7/P2q4/K1RR4 b - - 5 29

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