Chess Puzzle #Eou8S — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rook c1; pawns a3/b4/e3/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen g3; rook f3; pawns a6/b7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe3 — rook f3→e3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
3. Best move: Qf5+ — queen g4→f5, gives check. Opponent replies Qg6 (queen g3→g6).
4. Best move: Rh8+ — rook c8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh8 (king h7→h8, captures rook).
5. Best move: Qxg6 — queen f5→g6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, very long. The key move is Rc8+.

Position data

FEN: 7k/1p4p1/p6p/8/1P4Q1/P3PrqP/6P1/2R3K1 b - - 1 31

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