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

Position

White: king h1; queen h7; rooks c1/c7; bishop e4; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e7; queen f6; rooks c8/h8; knight d4; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc7 — rook c8→c7, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc7+ — rook c1→c7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e7→d6).
3. Best move: Qxf7 — queen h7→f7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxf7 (queen f6→f7, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxf7 — rook c7→f7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r4r/ppR1kp1Q/4pqp1/8/3nB3/8/PP3PPP/2R4K b - - 9 27

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