Chess Puzzle #F88sr — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; rook b8; pawns e5/f4/g3/h2. Black: king c6; rook c4; pawns b3/d5/e6/f7/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc3 — rook c4→c3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook b8→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kb5 (king c6→b5).
3. Best move: Rxc3 — rook c8→c3, captures rook. Opponent replies Ka4 (king b5→a4).
4. Best move: Rc7 — rook c3→c7.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, rook endgame, skewer. The key move is Rc8+.

Position data

FEN: 1R6/5p2/2k1p1pp/3pP3/2r2P2/1p4P1/7P/5K2 b - - 1 44

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