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

Position

White: king h1; queen f2; rooks a1/h3; bishop c1; pawns a2/c3/d4/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks a8/c8; bishop f6; pawns a3/b7/e6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook c8→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc3 — rook h3→c3, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxd4 (queen b6→d4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qxd4 — queen f2→d4, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxd4 (bishop f6→d4, captures queen).
4. Best move: Bd2 — bishop c1→d2.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Rxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1r3k1/1p3p1p/1q2pbp1/8/3P1P2/p1P4R/P4QPP/R1B4K b - - 1 23

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