Chess Puzzle #I68vQ — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen h2; rook c1; pawns a2/b2/d3/h6. Black: king g8; queen g4; rook f8; knight e3; pawns a6/b7/d4/e5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kh7 — king g8→h7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc7+ — rook c1→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king h7→g6).
3. Best move: Rg7+ — rook c7→g7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king g6→f6).
4. Best move: Rxg4 — rook g7→g4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long, skewer. The key move is Rc7+.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/1p6/p6P/4p3/3p2q1/3Pn3/PP5Q/2R1K3 b - - 2 35

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