Chess Puzzle #A4PTb — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e7; rook c1; bishop b5; pawns a4/d5/f2/f3/g3. Black: king h8; queen b6; rook f8; bishops g7/h5; pawns a5/d6/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf3 — rook f8→f3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
3. Best move: Qe4+ — queen e7→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Bg6 (bishop h5→g6).
4. Best move: Qxf3 — queen e4→f3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move is Rc8+.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/4Q1b1/1q1p3p/pB1P2pb/P7/5PP1/5P2/2R3K1 b - - 0 33

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