Chess Puzzle #LMiPE — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f7; rook f1; knight e2; pawns a4/c4/d4/g3/h4. Black: king c8; queen b3; rooks d8/g8; pawns a7/b7/c7/e6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc4 — queen b3→c4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc1 — rook f1→c1. Opponent replies Rxg3+ (rook g8→g3, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf1 — king g1→f1. Opponent replies Qxc1+ (queen c4→c1, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Nxc1 — knight e2→c1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Rc1.

Position data

FEN: 2kr2r1/ppp2Q2/4p3/8/P1PP3P/1q4P1/4N3/5RK1 b - - 0 29

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