Chess Puzzle #Rss47 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks c6/c8; pawns f2/f5/g3/h2. Black: king f7; queen b4; bishop f8; pawns f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb1+ — queen b4→b1, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc1 — rook c6→c1. Opponent replies Qxf5 (queen b1→f5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: R1c7+ — rook c1→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Be7 (bishop f8→e7).
4. Best move: Rb8 — rook c8→b8.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2R2b2/5kpp/2R2p2/5P2/1q6/6P1/5P1P/6K1 b - - 0 26

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