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

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks b1/e1; bishop d3; pawns b6/c4/d4/e5/f2/g4/h3. Black: king b8; queen e7; rooks d8/h8; bishops f3/f8; pawns c7/d7/e6/f6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxh3 — rook h8→h3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: bxc7+ — pawn b6→c7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc8 (king b8→c8).
3. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b1→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc7 (king c8→c7, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Qa5+ — queen d2→a5, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb8 (king c7→b8, captures rook).
5. Best move: Rb1+ — rook e1→b1, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, double check, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice, very long. The key move bxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r1b1r/2ppq3/1P2pp2/4P3/2PP2P1/3B1b1P/3Q1P2/1R2R1K1 b - - 0 23

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