Chess Puzzle #CnHY2 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rooks f1/h3; pawns c3/d4/e5/g2/h2. Black: king d7; queen b2; rooks c8/d8; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/f7/g6/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook c8→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf7+ — rook f1→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc6 (king d7→c6).
3. Best move: Rxc3+ — rook h3→c3, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc3 (queen b2→c3, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxd8 — queen h4→d8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, intermezzo, long. The key move Rxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2rr4/1p1k1pp1/p3p1p1/3pP3/3P3Q/2P4R/1q4PP/5RK1 b - - 5 26

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