Chess Puzzle #CXWyK — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rook e1; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen d6; rook d7; pawns a6/b5/f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd4 — queen d6→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd1 — rook e1→d1. Opponent replies Qxc3 (queen d4→c3, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd7+ — rook d1→d7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king g7→f6).
4. Best move: bxc3 — pawn b2→c3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, intermezzo, long, pin, sacrifice, skewer. The key move Rxd7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/3r2kp/p2q2p1/1p3p2/8/P1Q4P/1P3PP1/4R1K1 b - - 6 37

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