Chess Puzzle #9zbyZ — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen f4; rook e5; bishop g3; pawns a3/b2/d4/f3/h2. Black: king c6; queen g6; rook c8; bishop c2; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bb3 — bishop c2→b3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc5+ — rook e5→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king c6→d7).
3. Best move: Rxc7+ — rook c5→c7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc7+ (rook c8→c7, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxc7+ — queen f4→c7, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move Rxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/ppp2ppp/2k3q1/4R3/3P1Q2/P4PB1/1Pb4P/2K5 b - - 1 22

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