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

Position

White: king g1; queen a1; rooks c1/c5; bishop c6; pawns f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks c8/e6; bishop d3; pawns f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rexc6 — rook e6→c6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc6 — rook c5→c6, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc6 (rook c8→c6, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qa8+ — queen a1→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
4. Best move: Qxc6 — queen a8→c6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, long, middlegame. The key move Rxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/5pp1/1qB1r2p/2R5/8/3b2P1/5P1P/Q1R3K1 b - - 2 31

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