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

Position

White: king g1; rooks b1/b2; bishop a5; pawns a2/a3/e5/f4/g2/h2. Black: king e8; rooks c2/h8; bishop d7; pawns a7/d4/e6/f5/f7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d3 — pawn d4→d3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc2 — rook b2→c2, captures rook. Opponent replies dxc2 (pawn d3→c2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b1→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Bc8 (bishop d7→c8).
4. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook b8→c8, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

clearance, crushing, endgame, long. The key move Rxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4k2r/p2b1p2/4p3/B3Pp1p/3p1P2/P7/PRr3PP/1R4K1 b k - 0 24

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